v.
Pronunciation: di- ' f ī , d ē -
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: de · fied ; de · fy · ing
Etymology: Middle English, to renounce faith in, challenge, from Anglo-French desfier, defier, from des- de- + fier to entrust, from Vulgar Latin *fidare, alteration of Latin fidere to trust ― more at BIDE
Date: 14th century
1 archaic : to challenge to combat
2 : to challenge to do something considered impossible : DARE
3 : to confront with assured power of resistance : DISREGARD < defy public opinion>
4 : to resist attempts at : WITHSTAND <the paintings defy classification>