defy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb resist or confront with resistance
    withstand; hold; hold up.
    • The politician defied public opinion
    • The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
    • The bridge held
  2. verb elude, especially in a baffling way
    resist; refuse.
    • This behavior defies explanation
  3. verb challenge
    dare.
    • I dare you!

WordNet

De*fy" transitive verb
Etymology
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.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Defied ; present participle & verbal noun Defying
Definitions
  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" noun
Definitions
  1. A challenge. Obs. Dryden.

Webster 1913