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

1archaic : to challenge to combat2: to challenge to do something considered impossible : dare3: to confront with assured power of resistance : disregard <defy public opinion>4: to resist attempts at : withstand <the paintings defy classification>