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What is "to bid defiance"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To bid defiance

Defiance \De*fi"ance\, n. [OF. defiance, desfiance, challenge, fr. desfier to challenge, F. d['e]fier. See Defy.]

  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 bid defiance, To set at defiance, to defy; to disregard recklessly or contemptuously.
    --Locke.