Hypertext Webster Gateway: "defy"
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) 1.7 (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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