A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Defait, v. Also: defayt, defate. [e.m.E. defait (1435), deffayt (1491), defayt, f. OF. defait: see Defait,p.p. and p.t.] tr. To defeat, overcome. Also Defaiting vbl. n.1562 Digest Iusticiary Proc. D. 43.
The said Iohnne Gordoune … convict of airt and part of the tressonabill invaiding and defayting of our soverane ladyes men of weir a1578 Pitsc. II. 157/18.
The congregatioun ar ablar to defait ȝow nor ȝe ar thame 1602 Colville Parænese 31.
That church vhilk nether foren enemis nor fals brethring culd. defait 1618 Lithgow Poet. Rem. 29.
His friendes began to hate him, And at the last, a ponyarde did defate him 1650 Blairs P. 34.
Some 4000 men under the conduct of Major Whalley, whom Straughan & Car haue defaited
