Lexic.us

Definition of Defiance

1. Noun. Intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude.

Definition of Defiance

1. n. The act of defying, putting in opposition, or provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat.

Definition of Defiance

1. Noun. The feeling, or spirit of being defiant. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Defiance

1. bold opposition [n -S]

Medical Definition of Defiance

1. 1. The act of defying, putting in opposition, or provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat. "A war without a just defiance made." (Dryden) "Stood for her cause, and flung defiance down." (Tennyson) 2. A state of opposition; willingness to flight; disposition to resist; contempt of opposition. "He breathed defiance to my ears." (Shak) 3. A casting aside; renunciation; rejection. "Defiance to thy kindness." To bid defiance, To set at defiance, to defy; to disregard recklessly or contemptuously. Origin: OF. Defiance, desfiance, challenge, fr. Desfier to challenge, F. Defier. See Defy. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Defiance

Literary usage of Defiance

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Chronological History of the West Indies by Thomas Southey (1827)
"The Breda was disabled in her rigging, but continued to chase them, keeping the signal for action flying; but Captain Kirby, of the defiance, went on board ..."

2. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1890)
"It is unnecessary here to refer to the past history of the sect, to their defiance of the government authorities, to their attempt to establish an ..."

3. The Journal of Geology by University of Chicago Department of Geology and Paleontology (1897)
"Suppose it took the ice-front thirty-five years to retreat from the Fort Wayne to the defiance moraine, receding at a uniform rate. ..."

4. The Book of Days: A Miscellany of Popular Antiquities in Connection with the by Robert Chambers (1832)
"Another jest, which A defiance TO PITT'S HORSK-TAX—A FARMER HIDING HIS COW TO STOCKPORT MARKET. took a practical form, was that concocted by a certain ..."

5. Two Years Before the Mast: A Personal Narrative by Richard Henry Dana (1895)
"... were in the Atlantic, — and that, with twenty- four hours of this breeze, we might bid defiance to the Southern Ocean. It told us, too, our latitude and ..."

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