defiance — open resistance; bold disobedience
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: open resistance; bold disobedience
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈfaɪəns/
Example Sentences
- The cat walked across the wet cement in complete defiance of the 'Do Not Walk' sign.
- In defiance of all expectations, the lazy student became the class valedictorian.
- Her purple hair was an act of defiance against the school's conservative dress code.
defiance
NOUN[/dɪˈfaɪəns/]
open resistance; bold disobedience
The lone protester stood in defiance before the row of tanks.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin defidare, meaning 'to withdraw trust' or 'to renounce faith.' Through Middle French, the term evolved to mean 'to challenge' or 'to resist,' acquiring its modern sense of bold or open resistance to authority or opposition.
Breakdown
de- (away, remove) + fidare (to trust, from fides meaning faith) = to withdraw trust or renounce allegiance, later reanalyzed as open resistance or challenge.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The cat walked across the wet cement in complete defiance of the 'Do Not Walk' sign.”
“In defiance of all expectations, the lazy student became the class valedictorian.”
“Her purple hair was an act of defiance against the school's conservative dress code.”
“The robot vacuum showed defiance by getting stuck under the same chair every single day.”
📚Related Words
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