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defy

9 senses · Free VividLex dictionary · Thesaurus

  1. 1. v. t. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. Source: opted
  2. 2. v. t. 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. Source: opted
  3. 3. n. A challenge. Source: opted
  4. 4. v. resist or confront with resistance Source: wordnet
  5. 5. v. elude, especially in a baffling way Source: wordnet
  6. 6. v. challenge Source: wordnet
  7. 7. 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. A challenge. [Obs.] Dryden. Source: webster
  8. 8. A challenge. [Obs.] Dryden. Source: adambom
  9. 9. v:100 v. resist or confront with resistance v. elude, especially in a baffling way v. challenge Source: ecdict

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