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défait

undone, dishevelled

adjective day-FEH Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Appearance

Origin: Past participle of défaire (to undo)

Also means

defeated, haggard

Usage Note

Défait describes both physical disorder — un lit défait (an unmade bed), les cheveux défaits (dishevelled hair) — and emotional ruin: il avait le visage défait means he looked haggard or shattered. The noun défaite (defeat) shares the same root. The feminine form is défaite.

Examples

"Il est arrivé les traits défaits."

Natural Translation

He arrived looking haggard.

Literal Translation

He arrived with undone features.

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