How Do You Spell DEFACEMENT?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈe͡ɪsmənt] (IPA)

Defacement is a noun that means the act of damaging or spoiling the appearance of something. The word is spelled as /dɪˈfeɪsmənt/. It begins with the consonant 'd', pronounced as /d/. The second syllable is pronounced as 'fayce', spelled as /feɪs/. It ends with 'ment', pronounced as /mənt/. The word can be broken down into three syllables and has stress on the second syllable. Defacement is commonly used to refer to the act of vandalizing public property or works of art.

DEFACEMENT Meaning and Definition

  1. Defacement refers to the deliberate act of intentionally damaging or ruining the appearance of an object, surface, or structure, particularly through vandalism, alteration, or disfigurement. It involves the alteration of the original form, design, or structure of an item in a way that negatively impacts its aesthetic appeal or intended function.

    The term is commonly associated with acts of graffiti, where individuals use various materials, like paint or markers, to scribble, tag, or create unauthorized artwork on public or private property. In this context, defacement typically seeks to express personal messages, political statements, or artistic intentions, often with disregard for legal or social norms.

    Defacement can also occur in a broader range of scenarios. For instance, it can involve the destruction or disfigurement of statues, buildings, or historical landmarks, either as a form of protest or out of personal animosity towards the subject. Additionally, defacement can refer to the alteration of digital content, such as editing images, defacing websites, or corrupting files, usually with the intention of expressing dissent, causing harm, or spreading misinformation.

    Overall, defacement is an intentional act to damage, alter, or degrade an object, surface, or structure, often carried out with the aim of making a visual or ideological statement, though frequently regarded as an illegitimate or unlawful form of expression.

  2. Injury to the surface of anything.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for DEFACEMENT

Etymology of DEFACEMENT

The word "defacement" has its origins in Middle English, specifically from the Old French word "desfait", which is a past participle of the verb "desfaire". "Desfaire" is derived from the Latin word "disfacere", where "dis" means "away" or "off" and "facere" means "to do" or "to make". Therefore, "defacement" essentially means "to undo" or "to spoil the appearance of" something, particularly by damaging or vandalizing it.

Similar spelling word for DEFACEMENT

Plural form of DEFACEMENT is DEFACEMENTS

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