defy : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: defy	by the DICT Development Group
3 results for defy
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
defy v resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held" Synonym(s): defy, withstand, hold, hold up elude, especially in a baffling way; "This behavior defies explanation" Synonym(s): defy, resist, refuse Antonym(s): apply, lend oneself challenge; "I dare you!" Synonym(s): defy, dare
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Defy \De*fy"\, n. A challenge. [Obs.] --Dryden.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Defy \Defy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defied}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Defying}.] [F. d[82]fier, 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}.] 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.