defiance Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
    rebelliousness.
  2. noun a hostile challenge
  3. noun a defiant act

WordNet

De*fi"ance noun
Etymology
OF. defiance, desfiance, challenge, fr. desfier to challenge, F. défier. See Defy.
Definitions
  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. Obs. "Defiance to thy kindness." Ford. Locke.

Webster 1913