Main Entry: ¹de·fy

Pronunciation: \di-ˈfī, dē-\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): 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>