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Defying - 2 dictionary results
de⋅fy
[v. di-fahy; n. di-fahy, dee-fahy] 
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
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.
1. dare, brave, flout, scorn.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To Defying
| de·fy (dĭ-fī') 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. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
