Deface
/dɪˈfeɪs/noun
To spoil the surface or appearance of something.
Did you know?The word 'deface' dates back to the 14th century and was often used in the context of vandalism against sacred images, marking a deep cultural fear of desecration.
Etymological Timeline
Old French
Old French
desfacier
“To remove or spoil the face of something.”
14th Century
Middle English
defacen
“To disfigure or mar the appearance.”
16th Century
Latin
facies
“Face or appearance, the front of something.”
Modern English
English
deface
“To damage the appearance or surface of something, particularly in a destructive manner.”