Mawson, C.O.S., ed. (1870–1938). Roget’s International Thesaurus. 1922.
Class V. Words Releasing to the Voluntary Powers
Division (I) Individual Volition
Section IV. Antagonism
2. Active Antagonism
715. Defiance.
NOUN:
DEFIANCE; daring &c. v.; dare, defial, defi [slang]; “dare, dare, and double-dare” [child’s challenge]; challenge, cartel; threat [See Threat]; war cry, war whoop.
VERB:
DEFY, dare, beard; brave (courage) [See Courage]; bid defiance to; bite the thumb at; set at defiance, set at naught; hurl defiance at; dance the war dance; snap the fingers at, laugh to scorn; disobey [See Disobedience].
show -fight, - one’s teeth, - a bold front; bluster, look big, stand with arms akimbo; double -, shake- the fist; threaten [See Threat].
CHALLENGE, call out; throw -, fling- down the -gauntlet, - gage, - glove.
ADJECTIVE:
DEFIANT; defying &c. v.; with arms akimbo; rebellious, bold, insolent, reckless, contemptuous, greatly daring, regardless of consequences.
ADVERB:
IN DEFIANCE OF, in the teeth of; under one’s very nose; in open rebellion.
INTERJECTION:
do your worst! come if you dare! come on! marry come up! [archaic or dial.], hoity toity!
QUOTATIONS:
Noli me tangere.
Nemo me impune lacessit.
And dar’st thou then To beard the lion in his den, The Douglas in his hall?—Scott
