Obs. [ad. Fr. frustrer, ad. L. frustrārī: see FRUSTRATE v.]
1. trans. To balk or defraud of something due or expected. Also, to falsify (a prediction).
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xii. 45. Pygmalyon, whiche the wolde haue frustred of the grete tresours & Rychesses that he awayteth to haue of thy somtyme husbande. Ibid., xxii. 80. Prenostycatures of her harde and aduerse fortunes, that to her were frustred.
2. To bring to nought, render useless; to frustrate (an enterprise); to destroy, lay waste, ruin. Also intr. for refl.
150020. Dunbar, Poems, xxi. 78. Quhen flude and fyre sall our it frak, And frely frustir feild and fure.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (1858) I. 45. [This] wald be caus sone efterwart perchance The commoun weill to fruster and to faill.
1570. Satir. Poems Reform., xviii. 50. Bot God, that hes thy Maiestie in cure, Will fruster all thair fulische Interprysis.
c. 1611. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. IV. The Decay, 1127.
Have these that yet doe craul | |
Upon all foure, and cannot stand, at all, | |
With-stood your Furie, and repulst your Powrs, | |
Frustred your Rams, fired your flying Towrs? |