De*fi"ance (?), n. [OF. defiance, desfiance, challenge, fr. desfier to challenge, F. d'efier. 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.
© Webster 1913. | 
