defeatn.
/dᵻˈfiːt/, U.S. /dəˈfit/, /diˈfit/ 1.
a. The action or an act of defeating an army, enemy, etc., in a battle or war; an instance of being defeated in a battle or war.Unlike the word victory, for example, defeat in this and other subsenses of sense 1 can refer both to defeating and to being defeated, with the exact meaning dependent on the context. For example, Napoleon's defeat in Napoleon's defeat by the Russians refers to his loss, whereas in Napoleon's defeat of the Austrians it refers to his victory.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defeat > [noun]
confusionc1290
scomfit13..
cumber1303
discomfitc1330
scomfitingc1333
discomfiturea1400
scomfiturea1400
discomfitingc1405
overthrowc1440
male journey1455
overset1456
foilc1478
discomforture1485
supprise1488
reversea1529
distrage?1548
loss1548
defeat1553
underdeal1553
discomfort1589
defeatment1598
defeature1598
rufflec1600
defeatance1608
routa1616
Caudine Forks1619
disrout1623
conviction1631
bang1644
derout1644
conquest1677
drubbing1769
check1793
thrashing1797
sauve-qui-peut1815
debacle1847
smash1888
pasting1942
1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. x. f. 208 When Senthes vnderstode the defeate [L. clade] of that armye he procured the Odrisians that were hys countrey men to reuolt.
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 298 They had newes in Fraunce of the defeat [It. rotta] of the armie.
1656 B. Harris in tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age Contin. 291 They gave a totall defeat to the Turkish Fleet.
1659 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age ii. i. xviii. 213 Prince Rupert..notwithstanding his late defeat at Marston Moore.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 74. ⁋12 He received the News of the Defeat of his Troops.
1760 E. Burke Ess. Abridgm. Eng. Hist. 3 The Gauls..were altogether unskilful either in improving their victories, or repairing their defeats.
1841 M. Elphinstone Hist. India II. vii. i. 103 He at last suffered a total defeat, and lost all his acquisitions.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vii. §8. 430 The defeat of the Armada.
1936 Financial Times 18 July 7/7 Marlborough's genius as a commander never shone more brilliantly than in that famous defeat of the French.
1942 R.A.F. Jrnl. 2 May 4 The continuous rain of pamphlets in all languages told of the enemy's defeats.
2007 16th Cent. Jrnl. 38 587 His Irish campaign did not go well and he suffered a humiliating defeat at the battle of Dundalk.
b. More generally: the action or an act of defeating a person or thing, esp. in a debate, election, or similar contest; an instance of being defeated in such a contest.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > defeat or overthrow > [noun]
fallOE
confusionc1290
discomfiturea1400
castc1400
overthrowc1440
confoundinga1450
jeofail1546
prostitution1567
lurch1584
worsting1607
unhorsing1608
supplantation1617
defeat1676
overset1789
punishment1811
overthrowal1862
beating1883
unhorsement1884
whoop-ass1974
1676 W. Penn Skirmisher Defeated 27 Corrects his Folly (to say no worse) and ends the Debate with his Defeat.
1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 98 A Man of Confidence..is ready to rally after a Defeat; and grows more troublesom upon Denial.
1744 C. Morris Ess. fixing True Standards Wit 17 He is the most stung by a Defeat, upon any Topic, of all men living.
1782 G. Sharp Claims People of Eng. 8 The secret efficient Cabinet could recover from the surprise and dismay of their former defeat in Parliament.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 26 In that House of Commons..the Court had sustained a defeat on a vital question.
1873 Economist 15 Mar. 306/1 The Government has not been subjected to a succession of defeats on which there might have been an appeal, but to a single defeat on a point of too peculiar and intricate a nature to be a subject of appeal.
1903 Public 31 Oct. 475/3 If Senator Hanna entertained a respectable opinion of the intelligence of the Republican voters of Ohio, he never would have publicly declared that his defeat would precipitate an awful panic.
1966 L. C. B. Seaman Post-Victorian Brit. 1902–51 viii. 93 To plan for the total defeat of Prussian militarism seemed likely to involve the Prussianizing of England itself.
1997 Ottawa Citizen (Nexis) 3 May b5 Labour's defeat of the Conservatives in Thursday's British election.
2011 E. Karić in J. Casewick Educ. in Light Trad. 35 It seemed that the ulama had suffered a complete defeat in the debate.
c. The rejection or blocking of a proposed bill or measure by a parliamentary or legislative body.
ΚΠ
1733 Bee Revived Dec. 52 Letters from Virginia mention the great Joy of that Colony, upon the Defeat of the Excise-Bill.
1820 T. Moore Diary 13 Nov. in Mem. (1853) III. 168 The news of the bill's defeat arrived to my great joy.
1884 W. E. Gladstone in Standard 29 Feb. 2/7 The vote upon redistribution of power brought about the defeat of the first Reform Bill.
1915 Marine Rev. Dec. 455/1 The measure's defeat, if it is reintroduced, seems probable.
1959 Bennington (Vermont) Evening Banner 11 Mar. 1/6 (heading) Bottle Bill Defeat Is Requested... Defeat of a bill that would reinstate Vermont's ban on disposable beer bottles was recommended today.
1997 J. E. Pynes Human Resources Managem. for Public & Nonprofit Organizations iv. 46 He hoped that the insertion of sex would render the bill foolish and lead to its defeat.
d. An instance of being defeated in a sporting event or game; the action or an act of defeating another team or contestant in a sporting event or game.
ΚΠ
1773 Crit. Rev. Nov. 395 To vindicate the Kentish-men from the shame of a defeat at a late cricket-match.
1829 P. Egan Boxiana New Ser. II. 415 As a reward, or sweetener for his numerous defeats,..the above unexpected victory has put Sampson once more into good humour with himself.
1899 Baily's Mag. Aug. 144/1 England suffered a crushing defeat by ten wickets.
1942 F. Reinfeld Immortal Games Capablanca v. 149 A defeat just as drastic..is meted out to Znosko-Borovsky after his adoption of the Tarasch defense.
1970 Daily Tel. 15 May (Colour Suppl.) 20/4 Oxford, after three successive defeats, are almost entirely disinterested in the Boat Race.
1997 Sunday Times 26 Oct. (Sport section) 7/1 An eventual 3–0 defeat leaves Barcelona at the bottom of Group C.
2013 FourFourTwo Jan. 22/2 Redknapp..masterminded the FA Cup defeat of Manchester United the next season.
2.
a. As a mass noun. The state or fact of being vanquished, overcome, or defeated.
ΚΠ
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions iii. 8 Where difference in opinion, shall offer to assaile me, I thought it good..to say somwhat of both, considering their agreement doth promise successe, and their disagreement doth threaten defeat.
1667 R. Allestree Causes Decay Christian Piety xix. 423 Our combatants, who are like to be equally unhappy in defeat or success.
1738 H. Brooke tr. T. Tasso Jerusalem ii. 641 One step alone 'twixt triumph and defeat, The gulphy ruin and the towery height.
1796 E. Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 383 Thus we balance the account;—defeat and dishonour abroad; oppression at home.
1815 E. Quillinan Monthermer iii. 57 We meet again, in conquest or defeat.
1877 Spirit of Times 24 Nov. 440/1 The Captain..was a great favorite, as he was backed by a party who seldom suffer defeat on this track.
1892 Sun (Baltimore) 7 Dec. 1/5 There is such a thing as being gracious in defeat.
1935 Ann. Reg. 1934 ii. 198 The Socialist leaders..decided that it was best to accept defeat.
1994 Common Ground (PEI Women's Network) Aug. 26/3 I throw up my hands in defeat.
2011 Daily Tel. 26 Apr. 22/5 Although defeat is in the Lib Dems' DNA, few politicians have suffered like Mr Clegg.
b. to admit (also acknowledge, concede) defeat: to acknowledge (typically after a prolonged struggle or effort) that one has been defeated by a person or thing, or that the achievement of something is beyond one's capabilities; to give up.
ΚΠ
1811 Liverpool Mercury 18 Oct. 1/2 To confess error is never agreeable, to acknowledge defeat is still more unpleasant.
1832 Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) 21 Sept. The National Republican papers express a confident anticipation of [election] success in November; while the Jackson presses either admit defeat, or talk in so wild a way [etc.].
1868 Evening Republican (Little Rock, Arkansas) 6 Jan. 2/1 You say that you have the numbers, to ‘stay at least for a while’ the progress of Republican ideas... This admission concedes defeat before the battle.
1935 Illustr. London News 12 Jan. 49/3 The Sherpas would not admit defeat, and it was due to them that we found a way down.
1980 Times 31 May 5/1 The South African Government, after years of battling to control illicit drinking dens..in black townships, has conceded defeat and legalized them.
2016 Yorks. Evening Post (Nexis) 9 Mar. I struggle to finish my platter of mains... I'm in somewhat of a curry coma as I admit defeat.
c. to snatch victory from (also out of) the jaws of defeat and variants: to win a battle, contest, etc., when defeat seemed inevitable. Conversely: to snatch defeat from (also out of) the jaws of victory and variants: to be defeated in a battle, contest, etc., when victory seemed inevitable.
ΚΠ
1823 Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) 26 Apr. It was one of those masterly movements which, like that of Napoleon at Marengo, wrested the laurel of conquest from the very jaws of defeat.
1845 N. Brit. Rev. Aug. 291 He compelled reluctant Fortune to his standard, and snatched a brilliant victory, as it were, out of the very jaws of defeat.
1874 Inter Ocean (Chicago) 24 May 8 Were they fairly defeated after having played a creditable game there would be no censure for them; but when they snatch defeat from the jaws of victory there can be little sympathy for their deserved misfortune.
1942 W. G. Carr Educ. Leadership in this Emergency 20 A persistent leadership which sometimes snatches success out of the very jaws of defeat.
1990 J. Woititz & A. Garner Lifeskills For Adult Children iv. 48 That may lead them to reconsider and may snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.
2016 Irish Independent (Nexis) 13 June 9 Kerry committed an act of grand larceny when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a 1-3 injury-time flourish.
3. The action or an act of preventing the progress, success, or realization of something; an instance of frustrating a purpose or plan.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > [noun] > of plans, etc.
defeat1581
defeature1583
defeatment1611
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvi. 136 The defeat of the generall purpose must be most imputed to the bare defect of insufficient persons.
1667 G. Digby Elvira i. 13 Th' ingenious defeats..You are prepared to give to her suspicions.
1675 R. Allestree Art Contentm. ix. 160 With him..whose perpetual toil makes him insensible what the defeat of sport signifies.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1645 (1955) II. 408 After I had sufficiently complaind of my defeate of Correspondence at Rome.
1701 E. Settle Virgin Prophetess i. 2 An entire Defeat Of all Your sinking Hopes.
1765 W. Warburton Divine Legation Moses (ed. 4) I. ii. iv. 215 The defeat of Julian's impious purpose to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem.
1845 Friend 7 Jan. 135/1 If, however, the defeat of this cherished and favourite project is to be followed by the consequences which he supposes, the whole civilized world is deeply interested in procuring its defeat.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Guinevere in Idylls of King 257 I must not dwell on that defeat of fame.
1934 I. F. D. Morrow tr. A. Rosenberg Hist. Bolshevism ii. 40 Lenin bore the defeat of his hopes with unshakable calm.
2003 Financial Times 3 Nov. 30/5 The defeat of its plan [to privatise Portucel] represented a lost opportunity for growth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > [noun]
end832
bale-sithea1000
wrakea1275
wonderc1275
destroyingc1300
destruction1340
contritionc1384
stroying1396
undoing1398
tininga1400
ruinc1425
fatec1430
fordoingc1450
perishing?1523
shipwreck1526
pernicion?1530
ruining1562
ruinating1587
defeasance1590
defeature1592
breakneck1598
ruination1599
defeat1600
doom1609
planet-striking1611
mismaking1615
rasurea1616
destructa1638
perition1640
interemption1656
smashing1821
degrowth1876
uncreation1884
creative destruction1927
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iv. i. 47 If you..Haue vanquisht the resistance of her youth, And made defeate of her virginitie. View more context for this quotation
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 573 A King, Vpon whose property and most deare life, A damn'd defeate was made. View more context for this quotation
1621 J. Fletcher et al. Trag. of Thierry & Theodoret v. i. sig. K3v After the damnde defeate on you.
1636 W. Davenant Witts v. sig. I3v I cannot for my heart proceed to more Defeat upon thy liberty.
1654 Revenge for Honour i. i. 16 That he mean time might make a sure defeat on our aged fathers life and Empire.
1762 London Mag. Apr. 181/2 A man, who is goaded by the agonies of despair to make a defeat upon his own dear life.
5. Law. The action of rendering something, esp. a right or interest, null and void; annulment. Cf. defeat v. 3, defeasance n. 2b.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > illegality > [noun] > legal invalidity or faultiness > annulment or abrogation
reversing?a1425
repealing1431
abatementc1436
cancellingc1440
annullation1449
defeasance1456
voidance1488
reversal1489
reduction1496
repeal1503
extinguishment1528
disannulling1533
abrogation1535
obrogation1535
unplacing1554
nullity1555
reversement1572
reclaim1604
disaffirmancea1626
avoidance1628
rescinding1638
cassating1647
vacating1648
voiding1649
defease1650
annulment1651
unlawing1651
defeat1657
vacuating1684
peremption1726
invalidation1771
rescindment1783
supersession1790
disaffirmation1827
disenactment1859
discharge1892
1657 H. Grimston tr. G. Croke Reports 512 It is no absolute defeat of the Estate, but a retainer as a pledge.
1834 Amer. Jurist 12 163 (heading) Defeat of the trust.
1867 R. H. Clark et al. Code State Georgia (rev. ed.) ii. v. 437 The defeat of the particular estate for any cause does not destroy the remainder.
1938 Yale Law Jrnl. 47 1365 The correlative of the highest rate statutes is the provision found in many states for taxing defeasible possessory interests as if there were no possibility of defeasance and then making a refund in accordance with the actual diminution or defeat of the estate.
2012 G. Virgo Princ. of Equity & Trusts iv. 97 A condition subsequent will be valid only if it can be known with certainty from the start the exact event that will result in the defeat of the beneficiary's interest.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
defeatadj.
/dᵻˈfiːt/, U.S. /dəˈfit/, /diˈfit/, Scottish English /dəˈfit/ Scottish after Middle English.† 1. Of a person or part of the body: disfigured; altered for the worse in appearance or aspect. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > disfigurement > [adjective]
disfiguratec1381
disfiguredc1381
disguised1393
defeata1398
defecta1398
deformed?c1450
deflowered1509
disflowered1606
deflourished?1614
misfigured1624
martyrized1635
defaced1776
defeatured1800
disfeatured1871
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. iv. iii. 140 Also drynes hastiþ elde, and makeþ þe body euel ihewed, and defactif and defete.
a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) v. l. 618 To ben defet [c1430 Cambr. Gg.4.27 defect], and pale, and woxen lesse.
a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) v. l. 1219 He so defet [c1430 Cambr. Gg.4.27 disfigured] was þat no maner man Vnneþe myght hym knowe þer he wente.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 121 Hadde her uisage deffait in suche wise that she was vnknowe vnto eueri creatoure.
c1600 A. Montgomerie Poems (2000) I. 88 It weeping said, ‘O deidly Corps defet’.
2. Defeated, vanquished; (also) destroyed. Also as past participle. Sc. National Dict. (at cited word) records this sense as still in use in Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, Angus, and Fife in 1940.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defeat > [adjective]
matec1225
conquestc1400
convictc1430
triumphate1471
devict?a1475
vanquishedc1485
discomfecta1529
overcome1530
profligate1535
discomfited1538
defeatc1540
discomfishedc1540
suppriseda1547
beaten1550
conquered1552
ydaunted1581
overmastereda1586
expugned1598
profligated1599
tattered1599
triumphed1605
overcomed1607
fight-rac't?1611
convicteda1616
worsted1641
foiled1810
lost1822
defeateda1859
outfought1891
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > [adjective] > destroyed
forwroughta1325
lorna1400
destroyedc1440
perishedc1440
shentc1440
defeatc1540
spiltc1540
dissolved?1541
interempt1561
baned1568
mischievedc1570
defeated1578
ruined1585
downcast1592
gone1598
collapsed1610
to take up for hawks' meat1612
naughta1616
blasted1747
wreckeda1821
butchered1839
fucked-up1863
kaput1895
piled-up1906
shambled1940
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. ix. xv. f. cxxii/1 Ar ȝe defaitt be onlye sicht of thir ȝoure febill inymyis?
c1600 D. Moysie Mem. Affairs Scotl. (1830) 94 Word come of the King of France wictorie over the prince of Parmey; and how he had teane flicht, and wes defeat.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. viii. 343 Thy wals defeat, were rear'd with fatall bones.
1636 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae (new ed.) 1255 For he esteemde his foes defaite When once he found them folde.
a1714 Earl of Cromarty Hist. Family Mackenzie in W. Fraser Earls of Cromartie (1876) II. 507 John de Curcy, with Regnald, invadit Ihster, and beseidged Rath castell, but wer defeat.
1879 J. Guthrie Select. Poems & Songs 60 The committee divides the meat In lots o' prizes, The Luckless lad, though sair defeat, Nae ane despises.
3. Extremely tired, exhausted; worn out. Now chiefly literary. Sc. National Dict. (at cited word) records this sense as still in use in Banffshire and Aberdeenshire in 1940.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective]
wearyc825
asadc1306
ateyntc1325
attaintc1325
recrayed1340
methefula1350
for-wearya1375
matea1375
taintc1380
heavy1382
fortireda1400
methefula1400
afoundered?a1425
tewedc1440
travailedc1440
wearisomec1460
fatigate1471
defatigatec1487
tired1488
recreant1490
yolden?1507
fulyeit?a1513
traiked?a1513
tavert1535
wearied1538
fatigated1552
awearya1555
forwearied1562
overtired1567
spenta1568
done1575
awearied1577
stank1579
languishinga1586
bankrupt?1589
fordone1590
spent1591
overwearied1592
overworn1592
outworn1597
half-dead1601
back-broken1603
tiry1611
defatigated1612
dog-wearya1616
overweary1617
exhaust1621
worn-out1639
embossed1651
outspent1652
exhausted1667
beaten1681
bejaded1687
harassed1693
jaded1693
lassate1694
defeata1732
beat out1758
fagged1764
dog-tired1770
fessive1773
done-up1784
forjeskit1786
ramfeezled1786
done-over1789
fatigued1791
forfoughten1794
worn-up1812
dead1813
out-burnta1821
prostrate1820
dead beat1822
told out1822
bone-tireda1825
traiky1825
overfatigued1834
outwearied1837
done like (a) dinner1838
magged1839
used up1839
tuckered outc1840
drained1855
floored1857
weariful1862
wappered1868
bushed1870
bezzled1875
dead-beaten1875
down1885
tucked up1891
ready (or fit) to drop1892
buggered-up1893
ground-down1897
played1897
veal-bled1899
stove-up1901
trachled1910
ragged1912
beat up1914
done in1917
whacked1919
washy1922
pooped1928
shattered1930
punchy1932
shagged1932
shot1939
whipped1940
buggered1942
flaked (out)1942
fucked1949
sold-out1958
wiped1958
burnt out1959
wrung out1962
juiced1965
hanging1971
zonked1972
maxed1978
raddled1978
zoned1980
cream crackered1983
a1732 T. Boston Memoirs (1776) xii. 431 My wife bore up well, till on the Monday she was defeat.
1745 in J. Stuart Misc. Spalding Club (1841) I. 415 The bearer was much defate by bad travelling.
1814 C. I. Johnstone Saxon & Gaël I. viii. 96 She got sic a load o' cauld at that ball, the pap o' her hass down, an' a' defaite thegither.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. ix. 177 He took nae supper, for he said he was defeat wi' travel a' the night afore.
1832 Schoolmaster 22 Sept. 124/1 He looks wan, and defaite, poor man.
1983 W. L. Lorimer & R. L. C. Lorimer New Test. in Scots John iv. 164 He wis defait wi traivel an leaned him doun there at the wallside.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
defeatv.
/dᵻˈfiːt/, U.S. /dəˈfit/, /diˈfit/ a. transitive. To destroy the vigour or vitality of; to cause to waste, wither, or languish. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > make weak
fellOE
wastec1230
faintc1386
endull1395
resolvea1398
afaintc1400
defeat?c1400
dissolvec1400
weakc1400
craze1476
feeblish1477
debilite1483
overfeeble1495
plucka1529
to bring low1530
debilitate1541
acraze1549
decaya1554
infirma1555
weaken1569
effeeble1571
enervate1572
enfeeble1576
slay1578
to pull downa1586
prosternate1593
shake1594
to lay along1598
unsinew1598
languefy1607
enerve1613
pulla1616
dispirit1647
imbecilitate1647
unstring1700
to run down1733
sap1755
reduce1767
prostrate1780
shatter1785
undermine1812
imbecile1829
disinvigorate1844
devitalize1849
wreck1850
atrophy1865
crumple1892
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) ii. pr. i. l. 735 Þou languissed and art deffeted for talent and desijr of þi raþer fortune.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. cxxxvj/1 My body is deffeted by the tormentes, that the woundes suffre nothyng to entre in to my thought.
1630 H. Hawkins tr. St Jerome Certaine Sel. Epist. 139 A widow, who was defeated by fasting, and defaced by mourning weedes, who lamented not her dead husband, but sought the coming of a new spouse, by the extreme neglect of her owne person.
b. transitive. To alter the aspect or appearance of someone or something for the worse; to disfigure, deface, spoil. Cf. defeat adj. 1. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > disfigurement > disfigure [verb (transitive)]
loathly?c1225
defacec1374
disfigurec1374
emblemishc1384
defoula1387
unhighta1387
disray1431
deform?c1450
foul?c1450
deflower1486
defeata1492
unbeauty1495
deflourisha1513
disform?1520
ungarnish1530
disfashiona1535
disfavour1535
disgrace1549
unbeautify1570
uglify1576
disbeautify1577
dishonest1581
disshape1583
disornament1593
disadorn1598
undeck1598
disvisage1603
unfair1609
untrim1609
debellish1610
disfair1628
discomplexion1640
devenustate1653
disfeature1659
monkeyfy1707
ugly1740
defeature1792
dedecorate1804
scarecrow1853
nastify1873
a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) i. l. f. civ/2 His vysage..was also pale and dyffeated as of a deed man.
1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) iv. iii. sig. evii/1 Dryenesse..makyth ye body euyll colouryd. And defacyth and defetyth [L. corpus discolorat et deformat; a1398 BL Add. euel ihewed, and defactif and defete; a1430 Harl. 4789 euel y-hewed & defaceþ [probably read defaced] & defete] & is cause of Inordynat thryst.
a1530 T. Lupset Treat. Charitie (1533) f. 37v The sensuall inticementes of sinne, the whiche bespotteth, deformethe, and defeateth the ymage of god in vs.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. iii. 340 Defeate thy fauour with an vsurp'd beard. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > cut up game
breakc1330
defeatc1425
c1425 Twiti Venery (Vesp. B.xii) 154 And whan the boor is i-take, he be deffetyd al velue.
c1425 Twiti Venery (Vesp. B.xii) 153 And whan the hert is take..and shal be defeted.
3. transitive. Law. To render null and void; to annul, to terminate. Cf. defease v. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > illegality > render illegal [verb (transitive)] > deprive of legal validity
abatea1325
squatcha1325
voida1325
allayc1325
annul1395
reverse1395
revokec1400
rupt?a1425
repealc1425
abroge1427
defeat1429
purloin1461
cassa1464
toll1467
resume1472
reprove1479
suspend1488
discharge1495
reduce1498
cassate1512
defease1512
denulla1513
disannula1513
fordoa1513
avoid1514–5
abrogate?1520
frustrate1528
revert1528
disaffirm?1530
extinct1530
resolve1537
null1538
nihilate1545
extinguish1548
elidec1554
revocate1564
annullate1570
squat1577
skaila1583
irritate1605
retex1606
nullify1607
unable1611
refix1621
vitiate1627
invalid1643
vacate1643
unlaw1644
outlaw1647
invalidate1649
disenact1651
vacuate1654
supersedec1674
destroy1805
break1891
1429 in H. M. Flasdieck Mittelengl. Originalurkunden (1926) 75 (MED) He þermittith and shall discontinue or make discontinue and defeet or make defeet—be warantie or warantise collaterale or jn any oþer wyse—þe foresaid taile or tailez.
?1449–50 Petition in Rotuli Parl. (1767–77) V. 206/2 The seid Chaunceler and Justices, have power and auctorite to defete, voide and adnulle all such Yeftes, Grauntes, Feoffamentes..and Suerteez.
1525 C. Tunstall et al. Dispatch to Wolsey 8 July (BL MS Cotton Vespasian C III) f. 189v In case ye wold have these points at this tyme be expresse convention defeatyd.
1583 in W. Greenwell Wills & Inventories Registry Durham (1860) II. 62 Herbye defeating all former will and willes, by me att anye tyme made.
1642 tr. J. Perkins Profitable Bk. iv. §279. 123 This exchange is good untill it be defeated by the wife or her heire.
1674 J. Godolphin Orphans Legacy iii. xiv. 267 A Proviso, Condition or Limitation ought to defeat the whole Estate.
1714 G. Jacob Accomplish'd Conveyancer I. 94 The same may be defeated by Indentures of Defeazance.
1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 142 The lessee's estate might also, by the antient law, be at any time defeated, by a common recovery suffered by the tenant of the freehold.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) II. 49 A condition that defeats an estate.
1848 J. J. S. Wharton Law Lexicon at Defeasance A Defeasance on a bond..defeats that in the same manner.
1913 Virginia Law Rev. 1 34 The estate was defeated by the death of the first taker.
1972 Harvard Law Rev. 85 745 It has occasionally been held that..both the condition and the gift are defeated if the interest is contingent.
2002 Cambr. Law Jrnl. 61 662 The question whether trustees can have powers which partially defeat the trust which they should be upholding.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)]
to bring to noughteOE
forspillc893
fordilghec900
to bring to naughtOE
astryea1200
stroyc1200
forferec1275
misdoa1325
destroyc1330
naught1340
dingc1380
beshenda1400
devoida1400
unshapea1400
to wend downa1400
brittenc1400
unloukc1400
perishc1426
defeat1435
unmake1439
lithc1450
spend1481
kill1530
to shend ofc1540
quade1565
to make away1566
discreate1570
wrake1570
wracka1586
unwork1587
gaster1609
defease1621
unbe1624
uncreate1633
destructa1638
naufragate1648
stifle1725
stramash1788
disannul1794
destructify1841
locust1868
to knock out1944
dick1972
1435 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1435 §19. m. 3 Þe saide pouere toune of Caleys, þat by þe continuance of þe saide staple hath hiderto been gretly maintened..[is] like to bee defaited and lost.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. i. sig. a7 God may make alle thyng, & alle deffete or vnmake.
1517 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) xxxviii. 199 Her lusty rethoryke My courage reformed..My sorowe defeted and my mynde dyde modefy.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxxxiiij To subuerte and defaict all conclusions and agrementes, enacted and assented to, in the last Parliament.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Xx4 Greate and suddaine fortune for the most parte defeateth men. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1623) iv. ii. 164 Vnkindnesse may do much, And his vnkindnesse may defeat my life.
1641 R. Carpenter Experience, Hist., & Divinitie v. xv. 284 The Viper doth but defeate the body, to bring a temporall death.
5.
a. transitive. To prevent (a plan, purpose, scheme, etc.) from being achieved or realized; to bring to nought; to frustrate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > bring to ruin or put an end to
undoc950
shendOE
forfarea1000
endc1000
to do awayOE
aquenchc1175
slayc1175
slayc1175
stathea1200
tinea1300
to-spilla1300
batec1300
bleschea1325
honisha1325
leesea1325
wastec1325
stanch1338
corrumpa1340
destroy1340
to put awayc1350
dissolvec1374
supplanta1382
to-shend1382
aneantizec1384
avoidc1384
to put outa1398
beshenda1400
swelta1400
amortizec1405
distract1413
consumec1425
shelfc1425
abroge1427
downthringc1430
kill1435
poisonc1450
defeat1474
perish1509
to blow away1523
abrogatea1529
to prick (also turn, pitch) over the perka1529
dash?1529
to bring (also send) to (the) pot1531
put in the pot1531
wipea1538
extermine1539
fatec1540
peppera1550
disappoint1563
to put (also set) beside the saddle1563
to cut the throat of1565
to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568
to make a hand of (also on, with)1569
demolish1570
to break the neck of1576
to make shipwreck of1577
spoil1578
to knock on (in) the head (also rarely at head)1579
cipher1589
ruinate1590
to cut off by the shins1592
shipwreck1599
exterminate1605
finish1611
damnify1612
ravel1614
braina1616
stagger1629
unrivet1630
consummate1634
pulverizea1640
baffle1649
devil1652
to blow up1660
feague1668
shatter1683
cook1708
to die away1748
to prove fatal (to)1759
to knock up1764
to knock (or kick) the hindsight out or off1834
to put the kibosh on1834
to cook (rarely do) one's goose1835
kibosh1841
to chaw up1843
cooper1851
to jack up1870
scuttle1888
to bugger up1891
jigger1895
torpedo1895
on the fritz1900
to put paid to1901
rot1908
down and out1916
scuppera1918
to put the skids under1918
stonker1919
liquidate1924
to screw up1933
cruel1934
to dig the grave of1934
pox1935
blow1936
to hit for six1937
to piss up1937
to dust off1938
zap1976
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. i. 81 Thynges & honoures, shal ben deffetid by sodeyn deth [Fr. mort souddaine ment tout ce deffait].
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Kiiiv Whiche illusion..as sone as it was detected..anone it auoyded & was defeted.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 79 Yf hyt were wel ordryd justyce schold not be so defettyd.
1573 J. Bridges Supremacie Christian Princes sig. ¶.iij He hath deliuered you out of your enimies hands, and defeated all their purposes.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iii. 40 My stronger guilt defeats my strong entent. View more context for this quotation
1661 E. Hickeringill Jamaica Viewed (ed. 2) 73 The most promising designs..are many times easily defeated.
a1684 R. Leighton Serm. (1692) xii. 241 It damps all the joys, and defeats all the hopes of the most prosperous, proudest, and wisest Worldings.
1710 J. Ollyffe Pract. Expos. Church-catech. I. ii. iii. 146 Men continue irreclaimable in a State and Habit of Sin, defeating all the Means that can be used to amend them.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 38 To thwart its influence, and its end defeat.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) IV. 414 To..defeat the ulterior objects of the articles.
1855 R. W. Emerson Misc. 223 A man who commits a crime defeats the end of his existence.
1899 A. Krausse Russia in Asia xii. 301 England, the nation which..seeks to thwart Russian aims and defeat her desires.
1925 Rev. Eng. Stud. 1 390 He was going out of his way, in perfect incoherence of mind, to defeat his own purpose, and blunt his own weapon.
1969 Financial Times 24 Sept. 3/3 A combination of circumstances has arisen which defeats their original intentions.
2012 New Yorker 10 Sept. 104/1 Many people assumed that the heptalogy..would die away with the composer, its lofty aims defeated by megalomania.
b. transitive. to defeat the purpose (also object, etc.): (of an action, etc.) to negate or have a contrary effect to what is intended or desired.
ΚΠ
1790 World 20 Dec. 2/4 We have no doubt of the writer's good intentions, but..we conceive that the means might probably defeat the purpose.
1825 1st Ann. Rep. Amer. Sunday-school Union 13 A transition too sudden and bold from the silly stories, the very titles of which disgrace the annals of education, to such books as the ‘Four Seasons’..and ‘Anna Ross’ might have defeated the whole object.
1889 Daily News (Goshen, Indiana) 10 Aug. 6/3 The brisk demand for them [sc. low-cost suburban houses] usually induces the builder to ask high prices for them, and that defeats the purpose.
1909 Manch. Guardian 1 Oct. 4/4 ‘Forcible feeding’..is decidedly a misnomer, for force would cause reflex vomiting, and defeat the purpose.
1984 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 20 July Petersen..telling us about the liberating power of the imagination but never really showing us. Of course, to show us would be to spoon feed the audience, thereby blunting the message and defeating the point.
1995 J. Miller Voxpop i. 16 You don't dress up to be grunge—it defeats the object really!
2014 Cairns (Austral.) Post (Nexis) 19 Sept. 21 People are always texting each other ‘let's hang out!’..but then when you do, they spend a lot of their time texting someone else. Doesn't that defeat the purpose?
6.
a. transitive. To overcome or vanquish in a battle or war; to gain victory over (an army, enemy, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > victory > make victorious [verb (transitive)] > conquer or overcome
overcomeeOE
shendc893
awinc1000
overwinOE
overheaveOE
to lay downa1225
mate?c1225
discomfitc1230
win1297
dauntc1300
cumber1303
scomfit1303
fenkc1320
to bear downc1330
confoundc1330
confusec1330
to do, put arrear1330
oversetc1330
vanquishc1330
conquerc1374
overthrowc1375
oppressc1380
outfighta1382
to put downa1382
discomfortc1384
threshc1384
vencuea1400
depressc1400
venque?1402
ding?a1425
cumrayc1425
to put to (also at, unto) the (also one's) worsec1425
to bring or put to (or unto) utterance1430
distrussc1430
supprisec1440
ascomfita1450
to do stress?c1450
victorya1470
to make (win) a conquest1477
convanquish1483
conquest1485
defeat1485
oversailc1485
conques1488
discomfish1488
fulyie1488
distress1489
overpress1489
cravent1490
utter?1533
to give (a person) the overthrow1536
debel1542
convince1548
foil1548
out-war1548
profligate1548
proflige?c1550
expugnate1568
expugn1570
victor1576
dismay1596
damnify1598
triumph1605
convict1607
overman1609
thrash1609
beat1611
debellate1611
import1624
to cut to (or in) pieces1632
maitrise1636
worst1636
forcea1641
outfight1650
outgeneral1767
to cut up1803
smash1813
slosh1890
ream1918
hammer1948
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. ejv/2 By Charles the kyng we haue been almoost defeated and dyscomfyted.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. f. clxv/2 The erle of Arundell toke the waye by the ryuer of Garon to come to Burdeaux and therby ye siege before Bowteuyll was defeated.
1562 J. Shute tr. A. Cambini in Two Comm. Turcks i. f. 6 The armie of Baiazith was defeicted & he taken by Tamerlano.
1579 E. K. in E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. June Gloss. Great armies were defaicted and put to flyght at the onely hearing of hys name.
1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 15 After this, he defeited Scipio and Ivba.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures 47 Then..he made an end of defeating them, the most of them being constrained to leap into the Sea.
1726 tr. G. Daniel Hist. France III. 149 This misunderstanding deprived them of an opportunity of entirely defeating Ferdinand's army.
1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 64/2 Their army was defeated before the walls of Patna.
1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) IV. 437 An engagement followed, in which Therimachus was defeated and slain.
1861 Westm. Rev. Oct. 497 But though defeated the Cotton States were not vanquished.
1930 C. Hollis Amer. Heresy i. 27 Their object, in the first phase of the war, was not to defeat the English, but to fight well enough to make it appear worth the while of the French to have them for allies.
2005 New Eng. Rev. 26 159 Napoleon was forced to abdicate two years later and was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
b. transitive. figurative. To prevail over (something unwelcome or undesirable); to overcome, conquer, beat.
ΚΠ
1670 J. Evelyn tr. Moral Pract. Jesuites 119 The whole Army of Moral maladies defeated by the contrary force of their Remedies.
1782 W. Cowper Retirement in Poems 297 'Tis love like his that can alone defeat The foes of man.
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vi. lii. 154 But that she Who loved me, did with absent looks defeat Despair.
1891 Montreal Med. Jrnl. 20 328 The immediate purpose of his study has been and is to defeat disease.
1944 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 1 9/1 His occupations lose their significance as acts of vital importance and become merely a pastime to amuse himself and defeat his own boredom.
1969 Daily Standard (Sikeston, Missouri) 2 Apr. 12/1 New public facilities are a proven and effective tool in stimulating economic progress and in defeating poverty.
2010 M. Nelson Rolling Stones vii. 100 It was not until some time in 1986 that he was able to defeat his inner demons and control his drinking.
c. transitive. To beat or ensure the defeat of (a candidate, a political party, etc.) in a debate, vote, or election.
ΚΠ
1733 Bee No. 95 84 If a Candidate [in an election] found himself defeated by fair Means only,..he would wait..for a new Opportunity.
1817 D. Ramsay et al. Hist. U.S. III. xxxv. 102 The federal party [voting]..but from the single motive, of defeating Mr. Jefferson, known to be the choice of their political adversaries.
1858 H. C. Carey Princ. Social Sci. I. ix. 258 The millionaire Venetian, who defeated Carlo Zeno in his candidature for the dogate.
1876 Harper's Weekly 4 Nov. 886/3 The representative ‘fire-eater’ in the State was selected as a Democratic candidate to defeat the reform Republican.
1915 Retail Grocers Advocate (Calif.) 12 Nov. 11/1 The seventh candidate,..whom the [retail grocers of San Francisco] Association afterwards endorsed, was defeated.
1992 Wilson Q. Spring 23/2 He surely did not need to rely on theatrics to defeat the Democrats in 1952.
2001 Times 22 Mar. ii. 10/2 Disillusioned Tories and tactically minded Liberal Democrats joined forces to defeat the Conservative candidate.
d. transitive. Of a parliamentary or legislative body: to reject or block the passing of (a bill, proposal, measure, etc.). Also of an electorate: to vote against (a proposal, measure, etc.).
ΚΠ
1737 C. D'Anvers Craftsman IX. 159 The..Attempt to defeat the Bill of Resumption.
1788 Parl. Reg. 1781–96 XXIII. 528 Mr. Stanhope declared..there was every appearance of a wish to defeat the bill by delay.
1879 Nation 7 Aug. 87/1 If the Kelly forces obtain a victory and defeat the Tilden nomination, there is no saying who will secure the Democratic nomination.
1952 Times 8 Mar. 6/1 The Bevanite amendment was defeated by a majority of three to one.
1992 R. E. Luker & P. A. Russell Papers M. L. King, Jr. Introd. 16 The 2,500 black Atlantans who paid the poll tax..were able to defeat the education measures.
2013 Wall St. Jrnl. 2 Jan. a16/1 A broad bipartisan majority defeated multiple amendments.
e. transitive. To beat (another person, team, or animal) in a contest or competition, esp. a sporting event.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > overcome or defeat
shendc893
overwinOE
overheaveOE
mate?c1225
to say checkmatea1346
vanquishc1366
stightlea1375
outrayc1390
to put undera1393
forbeat1393
to shave (a person's) beardc1412
to put to (also at, unto) the (also one's) worsec1425
adawc1440
supprisec1440
to knock downc1450
to put to the worsta1475
waurc1475
convanquish1483
to put out1485
trima1529
convince1548
foil1548
whip1571
evict1596
superate1598
reduce1605
convict1607
defail1608
cast1610
banga1616
evince1620
worst1646
conquer1655
cuffa1657
trounce1657
to ride down1670
outdo1677
routa1704
lurcha1716
fling1790
bowl1793
lick1800
beat1801
mill1810
to row (someone) up Salt River1828
defeat1830
sack1830
skunk1832
whop1836
pip1838
throw1850
to clean out1858
take1864
wallop1865
to sock it to1877
whack1877
to clean up1888
to beat out1893
to see off1919
to lower the boom on1920
tonk1926
clobber1944
ace1950
to run into the ground1955
society > leisure > sport > winning, losing, or scoring > win, lose, or score [verb (transitive)] > win > defeat
overplayc1460
smother1676
lurch1678
outplay1702
thrash1789
defeat1830
spreadeagle1832
thresh1852
whitewash1867
blank1870
annihilate1886
nip1893
slam1907
plaster1919
skittle1919
rip1927
maul1928
demolish1938
massacre1940
trounce1942
hammer1948
murder1952
to shut out1952
zilch1957
zip1964
trip1974
1830 T. Brown Biogr. Sketches & Authentic Anecd. Horses iii. 261 The spur becomes necessary to rouse every energy; he knows its import, and every muscle is exerted, to defeat his competitor.
1874 Inter Ocean (Chicago) 24 May 8 Were they fairly defeated after having played a creditable game there would be no censure for them.
1913 Swine World 1 Jan. 18/2 He sired Belle..the greatest grand champion sow shown, 1914. She defeated sows from Ohio, Illinois, Nebraska and Missouri.
1922 Encycl. Brit. XXXII. 566/1 Travers defeated Anderson for the amateur title in 1913.
1973 P. Arnold & C. Davis Hamlyn Bk. World Soccer 176/1 Leeds went on to win the Fairs Cup splendidly,..defeating a fluent young Juventus side.
2015 MailOnline (Nexis) 27 Mar. He defeated 46 contestants and answered more than 589 questions on his journey to becoming Australia's newest millionaire.
7. † b. transitive. To deprive (a person) of something that he or she has or possesses; to dispossess. Obsolete.
a. transitive. With of or (formerly occasionally) †from: to deny (a person) something expected or due; to frustrate the expectation or purpose of (a person); to defraud, to cheat out of something. Also in extended use with a thing as object. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > perpetrate (a swindle) [verb (transitive)] > defraud or swindle
defraud1362
deceivec1380
plucka1500
lurch1530
defeata1538
souse1545
lick1548
wipe1549
fraud1563
use1564
cozen1573
nick1576
verse1591
rooka1595
trim1600
skelder1602
firk1604
dry-shave1620
fiddle1630
nose1637
foista1640
doa1642
sharka1650
chouse1654
burn1655
bilk1672
under-enter1692
sharp1699
stick1699
finger1709
roguea1714
fling1749
swindle1773
jink1777
queer1778
to do over1781
jump1789
mace1790
chisel1808
slang1812
bucket1819
to clean out1819
give it1819
to put in the hole1819
ramp1819
sting1819
victimize1839
financier1840
gum1840
snakea1861
to take down1865
verneuk1871
bunco1875
rush1875
gyp1879
salt1882
daddle1883
work1884
to have (one) on toast1886
slip1890
to do (a person) in the eye1891
sugar1892
flay1893
to give (someone) the rinky-dink1895
con1896
pad1897
screw1900
short-change1903
to do in1906
window dress1913
ream1914
twist1914
clean1915
rim1918
tweedle1925
hype1926
clip1927
take1927
gazump1928
yentz1930
promote1931
to take (someone) to the cleaners1932
to carve up1933
chizz1948
stiff1950
scam1963
to rip off1969
to stitch up1970
skunk1971
to steal (someone) blind1974
diddle-
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > treat fraudulently, cheat [verb (transitive)] > trick out of
delude1493
juggle1531
bull1532
defeata1538
cozen1602
Don Diego1607
foista1640
sham1681
jockey1719
fling1749
short1942
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 81 The credytorys holly are defayted of theyr dette.
1569 T. Newton tr. Cicero Worthye Bk. Olde Age f. 14 That they might defeate him from the use and possession of his goods.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 382 That thou maist not be defeated of that glory which awaits for thee.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 254 Death..Defeated of his seisure. View more context for this quotation
1714 G. Jacob Accomplish'd Conveyancer I. 70 To deceive and defeat Creditors of their just Debts and Duties.
1777 S. Johnson Let. 6 Oct. (1992) III. 81 Having been defeated of my first design.
1846 J. S. Mill Syst. Logic (ed. 2) iii. xxvi. §3 The assertion that a cause has been defeated of an effect that is connected with it by a completely ascertained law of causation.
1973 Poetry 123 89 The dragon was never defeated of his prey.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] > dispossess
disseisec1320
disincreasec1374
disheritc1400
disappoint1434
unpossessc1449
forbanishc1450
dispoint1483
disemparec1500
usurp1512
defeat?1545
depose1558
devest1563
dispossess1565
disappropriate1610
disadvest1611
expropriate1611
dispropriate1613
dispropertya1616
disinvest1619
divest1648
unrobe1650
defarm1693
?1545 J. Bale 2nd Pt. Image Both Churches ii. sig. S.iij They shall defeate her of those landes and possessyons which now she vniustlye holdeth.
1591 J. Harington tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso xxxvi. xlvii. 301 Rogero sunders them..Then of their daggers he them both defeateth.
1606 J. Day Ile of Guls sig. A4v That who soeuer..can defeate him of his daughters, shall with theyr loues, inioy his dukedome.
1677 tr. A.-N. Amelot de La Houssaie Hist. Govt. Venice 29 They are never defeated of those marks of Honour, unless they have done something dishonourable.
1747 N. Tindal Rapin de Thoyras' Hist. Eng. Continued IV. ii. xxvii. 712/2 Measures and designs to defeat him of his Royal dignity.
1786 J. Impey Office Sheriff 162 It would be in the power of the party, by agisting his lands, to defeat the king of the benefit of the outlawry.
8.
a. transitive. To prevent (a person) from achieving a desired end or goal; to present an insurmountable obstacle to (a person); to be too much for.
ΚΠ
1765 S. Johnson Plays of Shakespeare V. 225/1 Sometimes the matter itself will defeat the artist.
1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh III. 139 Isabell was not to be so easily defeated.
1876 M. Roberts Noblesse Oblige viii. 64 She baffles me. If she would pretend to know nothing, I could deal with her; but ‘Ask me nothing; I only want to forget,’ that defeats me.
1927 A. E. Phillpotts Tomek the Sculptor i. vi. 65 He tried to cut them with his new chisels, but the task defeated him.
1954 Illustr. London News 6 Feb. 206/3 I must confess that modern French literature defeats me.
2011 New Yorker 17 Oct. 64/1 A half-dozen earlier adapters [of the book] had been defeated by the requisite special effects.
b. transitive. colloquial. With indirect question as subject: to be impossible for (a person) to understand; to baffle or perplex. Cf. beat v.1 10c.Also with anticipatory it as subject and indirect question as complement.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > act of perplexing > confuse, perplex, bewilder [verb (transitive)]
abobc1330
confusec1350
confoundc1374
cumbera1375
passc1384
maskerc1400
mopc1425
enose1430
manga1450
overmusec1460
perplex1477
maze1482
enmuse1502
ruffle?a1505
unsteady1532
entangle1540
duddle1548
intricate1548
distraught1579
distract1582
mizzle1583
moider1587
amuse1595
mist1598
bepuzzle1599
gravel1601
plunder1601
puzzle1603
intrigue1612
vexa1613
metagrobolize?a1616
befumea1618
fuddle1617
crucify1621
bumfiddlea1625
implicate1625
giddify1628
wilder1642
buzzlea1644
empuzzle1646
dunce1649
addle1652
meander1652
emberlucock1653
flounder1654
study1654
disorient1655
embarrass?1656
essome1660
embrangle1664
jumble1668
dunt1672
muse1673
clutter1685
emblustricate1693
fluster1720
disorientate1728
obfuscate1729
fickle1736
flustrate1797
unharmonize1797
mystify1806
maffle1811
boggle1835
unballast1836
stomber1841
throw1844
serpentine1850
unbalance1856
tickle1865
fog1872
bumfuzzle1878
wander1897
to put off1909
defeat1914
dither1919
befuddle1926
ungear1931
to screw up1941
1914 A. C. Train Goldfish vi. 288 You just tell me—I'd like to know—why a fellow like that makes such a damned fool of himself!..It defeats me!
1953 ‘S. Kent’ Hill in Korea iv. 144 It defeated him why, with a fiddling pellet wound, they were wasting time.
2008 Financial Times 12 Mar. 9/6 Why Brazil..would agree to sign one [sc. a bilateral investment treaty] after looking at Argentina defeats me.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1553
adj.a1398v.?c1400