'To bid defiance' definitions:

Definition of 'To bid defiance'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • A war without a just defiance made. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • Stood for her cause, and flung defiance down. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A state of opposition; willingness to flight; disposition to resist; contempt of opposition. [1913 Webster]
  • He breathed defiance to my ears. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A casting aside; renunciation; rejection. [Obs.] "Defiance to thy kindness." --Ford. [1913 Webster]
  • To bid defiance, To set at defiance, to defy; to disregard recklessly or contemptuously. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'To bid defiance'