defacie

Deface (also encountered as defacie) refers to spoiling the surface or appearance of an object by marks or alterations. It is used as both a verb and a noun (defacement) to describe the resulting change. In some texts defacie is an archaic or nonstandard variant of deface.

In the physical world, defacement includes graffiti, vandalism, tampering with signage, monuments, or printed materials. It raises questions of property rights, public safety, and aesthetics. In art contexts, defacement can be intentional as a critique or statement, though it remains controversial and may be legally restricted.

Defacement of currency or official documents is illegal in many jurisdictions; attempts to mutilate banknotes, stamps, or seals can carry penalties.

In the digital realm, defacement refers to unauthorized modification of a website or online resource, often to spread a message or disrupt services. Web defacement is a common form of cyberattack and crime; organizations defend against it with security measures, monitoring, backups, and incident response plans.