Inflected forms: de·fied, de·fy·ing, de·fies 1a. To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it.b. To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: defied the court order by leaving the country.2. To be unaffected by; resist or withstand: “So the plague defied all medicines” (Daniel Defoe). 3. To challenge or dare (someone) to do something: She defied her accusers to prove their charges.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English defien, from Old French desfier, from Vulgar Latin *disfdre : Latin dis-, dis- + Latin fdus, faithful; see bheidh- in Appendix I.
SYNONYMS:
defy, brave, challenge, dare, face 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.
d
-f
re : Latin dis-, dis- + Latin f
