deface in English
- deface⇄adj. defaceable.
- deface⇄deface, transitive verb, -faced,-facing.
1. to spoil the appearance of; mar.
Ex. Thoughtless boys have defaced the desks by marking on them. Scribbled pictures and notes defaced the pages of the book.
2. (Figurative.) to blot out; oblit
deface in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
deface in Urdu اُردُو
Deface
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/dɪˈfeɪs/
Definitions
- 1. To spoil the appearance of something, especially by damaging or defacing it.
- 2. To vandalize or defile the surface of an object, typically through drawing or engraving.
Usage Examples
- "The vandals defaced the public statue with graffiti."
- "He was arrested for attempting to deface government property."
- "The artist's mural was defaced by unknown individuals."
Etymology
The word "deface" comes from the Middle French word "defacer," which means "to erase" or "to spoil." The word originated in the early 15th century, combining "de-" (meaning removal or reversal) and "face" (meaning the surface or appearance).
Synonyms
- Vandalize
- Damage
- Ruin
- Disfigure
- Spoil
Antonyms
- Restore
- Beautify
- Preserve
- Enhance
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Desfigurar | /des-fee-goo-rar/ |
| French | Défigurer | /de-fee-gyoo-ray/ |
| German | Verunstalten | /fer-oon-shtahl-ten/ |
| Italian | Deturpare | /de-too-pah-ray/ |
| Portuguese | Desfigurar | /des-fee-goo-rar/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 破坏 | /pòhuài/ |
| Japanese | 損なう | /sokonau/ |
| Korean | 훼손하다 | /hwae-son-ha-da/ |
| Russian | Порочить | /pa-ro-cheet/ |
| Arabic | تشويه | /tashweeah/ |
| Hindi | विकृत करना | /vikrit karna/ |
| Bengali | অকল্যাণ করা | /okalyan kora/ |
| Marathi | विकृत करणे | /vikrit karne/ |
| Punjabi | ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਕਰਨਾ | /be-adbi karna/ |
| Gujarati | દૂષણ કરવું | /dooshan karvu/ |
| Telugu | భ్రష్టుపట్టించడం | /bhrashtapatincadam/ |
| Kannada | ಹಾನಿ ಮಾಡುವುದು | /haani maaduvudu/ |
| Malayalam | വികൃതി വരുത്തുക | /vikrithi varuthuka/ |
| Odia | ବିକୃତି କରିବା | /bikruti kariba/ |
| Assamese | বিকৃতি কৰা | /bikriti kora/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "deface" generally remains consistent across English dialects, with minor variations in stress depending on the speaker's region.
Historical Usage
The term "deface" has been used for centuries to describe the act of damaging or ruining something’s appearance, particularly in the context of artwork and public monuments. In medieval times, "deface" was often used to describe the damaging of coins or symbols of authority. Today, the word is commonly associated with vandalism and destruction of property.
Cultural Nuances
In modern contexts, defacing is often a criminal act, especially when it involves public property or historical monuments. In many cultures, defacing artwork or important symbols is seen as an act of disrespect, while some individuals or groups may view it as a form of protest or self-expression.
More Information
The act of defacing can range from graffiti to the physical destruction of objects of value. The cultural and legal perspectives on defacing differ worldwide, often depending on the significance of the object involved. Legal systems may impose severe penalties for defacing government property or cultural heritage, reflecting the broader social consequences of such actions.