defy, dare
(verb) challenge; “I dare you!”
defy, withstand, hold, hold up
(verb) resist or confront with resistance; “The politician defied public opinion”; “The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear”; “The bridge held”
defy, resist, refuse
(verb) elude, especially in a baffling way; “This behavior defies explanation”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
defy (third-person singular simple present defies, present participle defying, simple past and past participle defied)
(transitive) To challenge (someone) or brave (a hazard or opposition).
(transitive) To refuse to obey.
To not conform to or follow a pattern, set of rules or expectations.
(transitive, obsolete) To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.
defy (plural defies)
(obsolete) A challenge.
• yfed
Source: Wiktionary
De*fy", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defied; p. pr. & vb. n. Defying.] Etym: [F. défier, 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.
De*fy", n.
Definition: A challenge. [Obs.] Dryden.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
23 December 2024
(noun) Australian tree having hard white timber and glossy green leaves with white flowers followed by one-seeded glossy blue fruit
International Coffee Day (September 29) is an occasion to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events occurring in places across the world. A day to promote fair trade coffee and raise awareness for the coffee growers’ plight. Other countries celebrate this event on October 1.
