I. di-ˈfī, dē- transitive verb
( 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
II. di-ˈfī, ˈdē-ˌ noun
( plural defies )
Date: 1580
: challenge , defiance