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defy

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defy

 

  3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Defy  \De*fy"\,  n. 
  A  challenge.  [Obs.]  --Dryden. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Defy  \De*fy"\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Defied};  p.  pr  &  vb  n. 
  {Defying}.]  [F.  d['e]fier,  OF  deffier,  desfier,  LL 
  disfidare  to  disown  faith  or  fidelity,  to  dissolve  the  bond 
  of  allegiance,  as  between  the  vassal  and  his  lord;  hence  to 
  challenge,  defy;  fr  L.  dis-  +  fides  faith.  See  {Faith},  and 
  cf  {Diffident},  {Affiance}.] 
  1.  To  renounce  or  dissolve  all  bonds  of  affiance,  faith,  or 
  obligation  with  to  reject,  refuse,  or  renounce.  [Obs.] 
 
  I  defy  the  surety  and  the  bond.  --Chaucer. 
 
  For  thee  I  have  defied  my  constant  mistress.  --Beau. 
  &  Fl 
 
  2.  To  provoke  to  combat  or  strife;  to  call  out  to  combat;  to 
  challenge;  to  dare;  to  brave;  to  set  at  defiance;  to  treat 
  with  contempt;  as  to  defy  an  enemy;  to  defy  the  power  of 
  a  magistrate;  to  defy  the  arguments  of  an  opponent;  to 
  defy  public  opinion. 
 
  I  once  again  Defy  thee  to  the  trial  of  mortal  fight. 
  --Milton. 
 
  I  defy  the  enemies  of  our  constitution  to  show  the 
  contrary.  --Burke. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  defy 
  v  1:  resist  or  confront  with  resistance;  "The  politician  defied 
  public  opinion";  "The  new  material  withstands  even  the 
  greatest  wear  and  tear";  "The  bridge  held"  [syn:  {withstand}, 
  {hold},  {hold  up}] 
  2:  elude,  esp.  in  a  baffling  way  "This  behavior  defies 
  explanation"  [syn:  {resist},  {refuse}]  [ant:  {lend  oneself}] 
  3:  challenge:  "I  dare  you!"  [syn:  {dare}]




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