de·face (d-fs) tr.v. de·faced, de·fac·ing, de·fac·es 1. To mar or spoil the appearance or surface of; disfigure. 2. To impair the usefulness, value, or influence of. 3. To obliterate; destroy.
So, is it possible to deface something without “physically harm[ing] it, such as painting on it or chiseling into the stone or masonry?” Answer carefully . . . don’t forget you’ve already posted the real definition.