Emily Dickinson Lexicon

defy (defied, defies, -ing), v. [ME < dis-, in twain + fīdāre, trust, give faith to.] (webplay: above, any, do, impotent, law, me, own, phrase, thing, Were, word, would, you).

1. Withstand; oppose; resist attempts; (see Numbers 23:8).
2. Dare; brave; challenge to battle; (see 1 Samuel 17:10).