De-fē'a-sance, n.

(-fē'zans), n. [Norm. Fr. defesance, from Fr. defesant, defaisant, p. pr. of defaire, to undo. See DEFEAT.]

1. A defeat; an overthrow. [Obs.] “His foes’ defeasance.” Spenser.
2. A rendering null or void.
3. (Law.) A condition, relating to a deed, which being performed, the deed is defeated or rendered void; or a collateral deed, made at the same time with a feoffment, or other conveyance, containing conditions, on the performance of which the estate then created may be defeated.

¶ Mortgages were usually made in this manner in former times, but the modern practice is to include the conveyance and the defeasance in the same deed.