Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- a daring or bold resistance to authority or to any opposing force.
- open disregard; contempt (often followed by of): defiance of danger; His refusal amounted to defiance.
- a challenge to meet in combat or in a contest.
- bid defiance to, to offer resistance; defy.
- in defiance of, in spite of; notwithstanding: There was a splendid audience in defiance of the rainstorm.
noun
- open or bold resistance to or disregard for authority, opposition, or power
- a challenging attitude or behaviour; challenge
c.1300, from Old French desfiance “challenge, declaration of war,” from desfiant, present participle of desfier (see defy).
In spite of, with outright disregard for, as in They went on strike in defiance of union policy. This term was first recorded in 1750.
see in defiance of.