— defiable , adj. — defyingly , adv.
v. /di fuy"/ ; n. /di fuy", dee"fuy/ , v. , defied, defying , n. , pl. defies .
v.t.
1. to challenge the power of; resist boldly or openly: to defy parental authority.
2. to offer effective resistance to: a fort that defies attack.
3. to challenge (a person) to do something deemed impossible: They defied him to dive off the bridge.
4. Archaic. to challenge to a combat or contest.
n.
5. a challenge; a defiance.
[ 1250-1300; ME defien desfier, equiv. to des- DIS- 1 + fier to trust fidare, var. of L fidere ]
Syn. 1. dare, brave, flout, scorn.