defacement

== English == === Etymology === From deface + -ment. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /dɪˈfeɪsmənt/ Rhymes: -eɪsmənt === Noun === defacement (countable and uncountable, plural defacements) An act of defacing; an instance of visibly marring or disfiguring something. An act of voiding or devaluing; nullification of the face value. (heraldry, vexillology) A symbol added to a flag or coat of arms to change it or make it different from another. ==== Usage notes ==== Defacement generally has negative valence (that is, it is a bad thing), except in heraldry, where it is a neutral term. ==== Synonyms ==== (act of defacing): disfiguration, graffiti, obliteration, vandalism (nullification of face value): cancellation, devaluation ==== Translations ====