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defy

Pronunciation: /dɪˈfaɪ/

The English word “defy” has 5 meanings listed here.

verb

  1. To challenge (someone) or brave (a hazard or opposition).
  2. To refuse to obey.
  3. To not conform to or follow a pattern, set of rules or expectations.
  4. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.

noun

  1. A challenge.

Etymology

From Old French desfier, from Vulgar Latin *disfidare (“renounce one's faith”), from Latin dis- (“away”) + fidus (“faithful”). Meaning shifted in the 14th century from "be disloyal" to "challenge". Contrast confide, fidelity, faith.

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.