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defiance (n.)

c. 1300, defiaunce, "a challenge to fight, invitation to combat," from Old French desfiance "challenge, declaration of war," from desfiant, present participle of desfier "to challenge, defy, provoke; renounce (a belief), repudiate (a vow, etc.)," from Vulgar Latin *disfidare "renounce one's faith," from Latin dis- "away" (see dis-) + fidus "faithful" (from PIE root *bheidh- "to trust, confide, persuade"). By 1710 as "contempt of opposition or danger."

Origin and meaning of defiance

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Definitions of defiance from WordNet

defiance (n.)
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude;
Synonyms: rebelliousness
defiance (n.)
a hostile challenge;
defiance (n.)
a defiant act;
From wordnet.princeton.edu