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defy

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To defy is defined as to work against or resist something.

(verb)

An example of to defy is to break a law by going on land that is posted with a no trespassing sign.

See defy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to resist or oppose boldly or openly
to resist completely in a baffling way: the puzzle defied solution
to dare (someone) to do or prove something
Archaic to challenge (someone) to fight

Origin: ME defien < OFr defier, to distrust, repudiate, defy < LL *disfidare < dis-, from + *fidare, to trust < fidus, faithful: see faith

noun pl. defies

a defiance or challenge

See defy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb de·fied, de·fy·ing, de·fies

a. To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it.
b. To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: defied the court order by leaving the country.
To be unaffected by; resist or withstand: “So the plague defied all medicines” (Daniel Defoe).
To challenge or dare (someone) to do something: She defied her accusers to prove their charges.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English defien

Origin: , from Old French desfier

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *disfīdāre

Origin: : Latin dis-, dis-

Origin: + Latin fīdus, faithful; see bheidh- in Indo-European roots

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