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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Defying

defy \de*fy"\ (d[-e]*f[imac]"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defied (d[-e]*f[imac]d"); p. pr. & vb. n. Defying.] [F. d['e]fier, OF. deffier, desfier, LL. disfidare to disown faith or fidelity, to dissolve the bond of allegiance, as between the vassal and his lord; hence, to challenge, defy; fr. L. dis- + fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Diffident, Affiance.]

  1. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. [Obs.]

    I defy the surety and the bond.
    --Chaucer.

    For thee I have defied my constant mistress.
    --Beau. & Fl.

  2. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.

    I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight.
    --Milton.

    I defy the enemies of our constitution to show the contrary.
    --Burke.

Wiktionary
defying

vb. (present participle of defy English)

Usage examples of "defying".

There was the gray street of towers, towers looming unimaginably far above him, defying geometric axiom by touching the tips of their parallel towers so that the desired sight of the sun was denied him.

While some hovered, others began to attach themselves to the Great-Big Bears, defying gravity by creating an overhang.

The lines of force seemed to be everywhere and anywhere, defying analysis.

He paused before the last sign and glanced at Narrow Leg as if defying him to laugh.

Avoiding restrictions and defying laws were completely in the human condition.

Though Chalkin sent down orders that none of the 'ungrateful dissenters' could expect to reclaim their holdings - - - punishment for defying him.

He glared at her, his eyes wide with incredulity that she seemed to be defying him.

With an all-too-fleeting moment of satisfaction, he took the six steps to the platform, two at a time, defying anyone-especially Besic-to assume that he had been the worse for wear earlier that morning.

As it is for the Maker to decide the right and wrong of defying the Will.

He pared and stared, defying its decorum until the sweat ran from his temples.

Then it became apparent that she was passing her fingers through the palms of the other hand, left through right, right through left, defying their solidity.

These riddles, defying her powers of explanation, marked her profoundly.

A naked woman, her limbs defying all the laws of anatomy, was floating on a pillow of cloud, her position one of pure sexual display.

No trees of sand then, but a lush jungle that brought to mind the flora that had sprung to life in the Gyre: the same profligate fecundity, the same unnamable species that seemed on the verge of defying their condition.

Not simply from them but of them, defying Uriel’s destruction as her will made a new anatomy from the fragments.