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.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)