Hypertext Webster Gateway: "defiance"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Defiance \De*fi"ance\, n. [OF. defiance, desfiance, challenge,
fr. desfier to challenge, F. d['e]fier. See {Defy}.]
1. The act of defying, putting in opposition, or provoking to
combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat.

A war without a just defiance made. --Dryden.

Stood for her cause, and flung defiance down.
--Tennyson.

2. A state of opposition; willingness to flight; disposition
to resist; contempt of opposition.

He breathed defiance to my ears. --Shak.

3. A casting aside; renunciation; rejection. [Obs.]
``Defiance to thy kindness.'' --Ford.

{To bid defiance}, {To set at defiance}, to defy; to
disregard recklessly or contemptuously. --Locke.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

defiance
n 1: intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude [syn: {rebelliousness}]
2: a hostile challenge
3: a defiant act

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