Main Entry: de·face

Pronunciation: \di-ˈfās, dē-\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French *desfacer, *deffacer, from des- de- + face front, face

Date: 14th century

1 : to mar the appearance of : injure by effacing significant details <deface an inscription>
2 : impair
3 obsolete : destroy

— de·face·ment \-ˈfās-mənt\ noun

— de·fac·er noun