▪ I. defease, v.
Also 5 Sc. defese, 6 Sc. defase, 7 defeise.
[f. defeas-ance, defeas-ible, etc., and thus representing OF. de(s)fes-, stem of desfaire to undo: see defeasance.]
1. trans. To undo, bring to nought, destroy. rare.
| 1621 G. Sandys Ovid's Met. iv. (1626) 76 What? could that Strumpets brat the form defeise Of poore Mæonian Saylers, drencht in Seas? 1866 J. B. Rose Ovid's Fasti vi. 836 Now on the Ides all order is defeased. |
† 2. Sc. To discharge from an obligation, acquit. b. To discharge (a part), deduct. Obs.
| 1478 Act. Dom. Conc. 22 (Jam.) Becauss the thane of Caldor allegis that he has charteris to defese him tharof [payment], the lordis assignis him..to schew tha charteris, and sufficiand defesance. 1551 Sc. Acts Mary (1597) §10 The awner..sall not bee halden to paye mair..then cummis to the residue thereof, the saidis sext, fifth and fourth partes, respectiuè, being defaised. 1664 Newbyth in M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. (1826) I. 499 Notwithstanding of the twenty shillings Scots to be defeased to the defender upon the boll. |
▪ II. † defease, n. Sc. Obs.
[f. prec. vb.]
Discharge, acquittance; = defeasance 4.
| 1491 Ld. Treas. Acc. Scotl. I. 166 Chauncellare, we charge ȝow that..ȝe here the Thesauraris compt and defeis, and allow as ȝe think accordis to resone. |