De*for"ciant (?), n. [OF. deforciant, p. pr. of deforcier. See Deforce.] (Eng. Law) (a) One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an estate. (b) One against whom a fictitious action of fine was brought. [Obs.] Burrill.
De*for`ci*a"tion (?), n. (Law) Same as Deforcement, n.
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De*for"est (?), v. t. To clear of forests; to disforest. U. S. Agric. Reports.
De*form" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deformed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Deforming.] [L. deformare; de- + formare to form, shape, fr. forma: cf. F. déformer. See Form.] 1. To spoil the form of; to mar in form; to misshape; to disfigure.
Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time
Into this breathing world.
Shak.
2. To render displeasing; to deprive of comeliness, grace, or perfection; to dishonor.
Above those passions that this world deform.
Thomson.
De*form", a. [L. deformis; de- + forma form: cf. OF. deforme, F. difforme. Cf. Difform.] Deformed; misshapen; shapeless; horrid. [Obs.]
Sight so deform what heart of rock could long
Dry-eyed behold?
Milton.
Def`or*ma"tion (?), n. [L. deformatio: cf. F. déformation.] 1. The act of deforming, or state of anything deformed. Bp. Hall.