defray
/dɪˈfɹeɪ/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.38 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "The expenses of the war, while in progress, were defrayed by executing rich men and confiscating their property."
- "Investors, meanwhile, got back a fraction of their money. Some say Mr Meinl’s €100m bail, paid by a source in Liechtenstein, should be used to defray their losses."
- "In order to help defray the substantial costs involved, they then raised revenue through taking advertisements."
- "With his legal maneuverings, Trump is showing that he also understands the implications of this election — one that could give him substantial powers as president to defray or dismiss many of the legal threats that he’s facing and to behave in office without future accountability."
Etymology
From Middle French desfrayer, French défrayer, from dé- + Old French fraier (“to spend”).
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /dɪˈfɹeɪ/
- British English: /dɪˈfɹeɪ/