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Webster 1913 Edition

defy

de-fy′

(dē̍-fī′)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Defied
(dē̍-fīd′)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Defying
.]
[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′

(dē̍-fī′)
,
Noun.
A challenge.
[Obs.]
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition

Defy

DEFY

, v.t.
1.
To dare; to provoke to combat or strife, by appealing to the courage of another; to invite one to contest; to challenge; as, Goliath defied the armies of Israel.
2.
To dare; to brave; to offer to hazard a conflict by manifesting a contempt of opposition, attack or hostile force; as, to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy the power of the magistrate.
Were we to abolish the common law, it would rise triumphant above its own ruins, deriding and defying its impotent enemies.
3.
To challenge to say or do any thing.

DEFY

,
Noun.
A challenge.

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