v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Defrayed p. pr. & vb. n. Defraying. ] [ F. défrayer; pref. dé- (L. de or dis-) + frais expense, fr. LL. fredum, fridum, expense, fine by which an offender obtained peace from his sovereign, or more likely, atoned for an offense against the public peace, fr. OHG. fridu peace, G. friede. See Affray. ] 1. To pay or discharge; to serve in payment of; to provide for, as a charge, debt, expenses, costs, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

For the discharge of his expenses, and defraying his cost, he allowed him . . . four times as much. Usher. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To avert or appease, as by paying off; to satisfy; as, to defray wrath. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of defraying; payment; as, the defrayal of necessary costs. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who pays off expenses. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Payment of charges. [ 1913 Webster ]