Defiance
[dɪ'faɪəns]
Definition
(noun.) a defiant act.
(noun.) intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude.
(noun.) a hostile challenge.
Edited by Clifford--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act of defying, putting in opposition, or provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat.
(n.) A state of opposition; willingness to flight; disposition to resist; contempt of opposition.
(n.) A casting aside; renunciation; rejection.
Checker: Polly
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Daring, challenge, invitation to combat.[2]. Contempt, opposition, spite, despite.
Checked by Kathy
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See DEFERENCE]
Inputed by Emilia
Definition
n. the act of defying: a challenge to combat: aggressiveness: contempt of opposition.—adj. Defī′ant full of defiance insolently bold.—adv. Defī′antly.—n. Defī′antness.—adj. Defī′atory bidding defiance.—Bid defiance to to defy.
Typist: Richard
Examples
- There was something positively exasperating in Bertha's attitude of isolated defiance. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Mr. Pickwick returned the glare, concentrated into a focus by means of his spectacles, and breathed a bold defiance. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- He'd set 'em at defiance if they talked of committing him, Sir. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- There was a sort of sulky defiance in her eyes, which only goes with guilty knowledge. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Instead of withdrawing with dignity, as he might still have done, he threw down the gauntlet of defiance. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- It's their armour, he thought, their defence against the unknown, and their defiance of it. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- George saw, at once, the force of this defiance. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Terrible emphasis was laid upon 'thing' and 'fellow'; and the faces of both editors began to glow with defiance. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- She turned with an air of satirical defiance to little Jacob, and began to question him directly. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I do it for Mr. Hale; I do it in defiance of her. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- His face, voice, and manner--while I was in his company--were under such perfect control that they set all scrutiny at defiance. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- But it is one thing to like defiance, and another thing to like its consequences. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- This defiance hath already been sent to thee by thy sewer; thou underliest it, and art bound to answer me--There lies my glove. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- He only appealed to me again with a vehemence which set all further protest on my part at defiance. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I shall deliver to the knight your defiance, answered the sewer; meanwhile I leave you to your food. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Checked by Edmond