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2 dictionary results for: Defying
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
de·fy 
[v. di-fahy; n. di-fahy, dee-fahy] Pronunciation Key verb, -fied, -fy·ing, noun, plural -fies.
—Related forms
[v. di-fahy; n. di-fahy, dee-fahy] Pronunciation Key verb, -fied, -fy·ing, noun, plural -fies. –verb (used with object)
–noun
| 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. |
| 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.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| de·fy
(dĭ-fī') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. de·fied, de·fy·ing, de·fies
[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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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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