faɪ 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.
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Defy
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| chat, to converse |
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English defien < Old French desfier, equivalent to des- dis-1 + fier to trust < Vulgar Latin *fīdāre, variant of Latin fīdere
1250–1300; Middle English defien < Old French desfier, equivalent to des- dis-1 + fier to trust < Vulgar Latin *fīdāre, variant of Latin fīdere
Related forms
de·fi·a·ble, adjective
de·fy·ing·ly, adverb
pre·de·fy, verb (used with object), pre·de·fied, pre·de·fy·ing.
re·de·fy, verb (used with object), re·de·fied, re·de·fy·ing.
un·de·fi·a·ble, adjective
Synonyms
1. dare, brave, flout, scorn.
1. dare, brave, flout, scorn.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To defy
Collins
World English Dictionary
defy (dɪˈfaɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb , -fies, -fying, -fied | |
| 1. | to resist (a powerful person, authority, etc) openly and boldly |
| 2. | to elude, esp in a baffling way: his actions defy explanation |
| 3. | formal to challenge or provoke (someone to do something judged to be impossible); dare: I defy you to climb that cliff |
| 4. | archaic to invite to do battle or combat |
| [C14: from Old French desfier, from des- | |
| de'fier | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
defy
c.1300, from O.Fr. defier, desfier, from V.L. *disfidare "renounce one's faith," from L. dis- "away" + fidus "faithful." Meaning shifted 14c. from "be disloyal" to "challenge."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
It can linger for many days and defy attempts to remove it.
Mir gasped for breath as he tried to defy the efforts of his grappling partners to keep him down.
Why would they defy gravity and spike upwards? I found a spike on a cube in my ice-cube tray.
Even so, few of them defy demolition for more than a few decades.
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