Defied - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

de·fy

Audio Help [v. di-fahy; n. di-fahy, dee-fahy] Pronunciation Key verb, -fied, -fy·ing, noun, plural -fies.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to challenge the power of; resist boldly or openly: to defy parental authority.

2.	to offer effective resistance to: a fort that defies attack.

3.	to challenge (a person) to do something deemed impossible: They defied him to dive off the bridge.

4.	Archaic. to challenge to a combat or contest.

–noun

5.	a challenge; a defiance.

[Origin: 1250–1300; ME defien < OF desfier, equiv. to des- dis-¹ + fier to trust < VL *fīdāre, var. of L fīdere

]

—Related forms

de·fi·a·ble, adjective

de·fy·ing·ly, adverb

—Synonyms 1. dare, brave, flout, scorn.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Defied

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

de·fy Audio Help (dĭ-fī') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. de·fied, de·fy·ing, de·fies

1. To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it.
2. To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: defied the court order by leaving the country.
To be unaffected by; resist or withstand: "So the plague defied all medicines" (Daniel Defoe).
To challenge or dare (someone) to do something: She defied her accusers to prove their charges.

[Middle English defien, from Old French desfier, from Vulgar Latin *disfīdāre : Latin dis-, dis- + Latin fīdus, faithful; see bheidh- in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: These verbs mean to confront boldly and courageously: an innovator defying tradition; braving all criticism; challenged the opposition to produce proof; daring him to deny the statement; faced her accusers.

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