defy

Meanings

• Verb

  Refuse to obey or comply with (someone's wishes or authority).

  - "He defied his parents' orders and went to the party."
  - "The rebel leader defied the government's demands for surrender."

• Verb

  Oppose or resist (someone or something).

  - "The athletes defied the odds and won the gold medal."
  - "The students defied the teacher's expectations and aced the test."

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Pronunciation

1. 
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2453949"

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with defy
tide , ride , hide , side , tide , abide , bide , tide

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Variants

List of all variants of defy that leads to same result
defied , defies , defy , defying , defy analysis , defy belief , defy convention , defy logic

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meaning 'to test' or 'to prove', defy comes from the Old French desfier, meaning 'to dismount' or 'to set free'. This sense of the word evolved to mean 'to challenge' or 'to resist'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'defy' is often used in sports to describe an athlete's performance that goes against expectations.

2. In the Harry Potter series, the character Neville Longbottom is described as someone who defies the expectations of others and ultimately becomes a hero.

3. The word 'defy' is also used in mathematics to describe a function that is undefined at a certain point.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. rebel: A person who defies authority or refuses to obey the rules.

2. resist: To withstand or oppose something, especially an enemy or unwanted influence.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, defy is often used to describe characters who challenge authority or defy expectations. For example, in J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings', Frodo Baggins defies the dark lord Sauron by destroying the One Ring. In music, the phrase 'defy gravity' is used in the song 'Rise Up' by Andra Day to encourage listeners to overcome adversity.

How to Memorize "defy"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize the act of opposing or resisting something. Imagine standing up to someone or something that is trying to control you.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word defy with the idea of strength and determination. Think of a person who refuses to give up despite facing challenges.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the acronym D-E-F-Y to remember the meaning: 'Defy' means 'to refuse' or 'to resist'.

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