From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Defeat \De*feat"\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]faite, fr. d['e]faire. See
Defeat, v.]
1. An undoing or annulling; destruction. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damned defeat was made. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. Frustration by rendering null and void, or by prevention
of success; as, the defeat of a plan or design.
[1913 Webster]
3. An overthrow, as of an army in battle; loss of a battle;
repulse suffered; discomfiture; -- opposed to victory.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Defeat \De*feat"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defeated; p. pr. & vb.
n. Defeating.] [From F. d['e]fait, OF. desfait, p. p. ofe
d['e]faire, OF. desfaire, to undo; L. dis- + facere to do.
See Feat, Fact, and cf. Disfashion.]
1. To undo; to disfigure; to destroy. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
His unkindness may defeat my life. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. To render null and void, as a title; to frustrate, as
hope; to deprive, as of an estate.
[1913 Webster]
He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being
that can defeat all his designs, and disappoint all
his hopes. --Tillotson.
[1913 Webster]
The escheators . . . defeated the right heir of his
succession. --Hallam.
[1913 Webster]
In one instance he defeated his own purpose. --A. W.
Ward.
[1913 Webster]
3. To overcome or vanquish, as an army; to check, disperse,
or ruin by victory; to overthrow.
[1913 Webster]
4. To resist with success; as, to defeat an assault.
[1913 Webster]
Sharp reasons to defeat the law. --Shak.
Syn: To baffle; disappoint; frustrate.
[1913 Webster]