Defiance "De*fi"ance", n. [OF. defiance, desfiance, challenge,
fr. desfier to challenge, F. d['e]fier. See .]
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.
, , to defy; to
disregard recklessly or contemptuously. —Locke.