Noah Webster
Defy
DEFY, verb transitive
1. To dare; to provoke to combat or strife, by appealing to the courage of another; to invite one to contest; to challenge; as, Goliath defied the armies of Israel.
2. To dare; to brave; to offer to hazard a conflict by manifesting a contempt of opposition, attack or hostile force; as, to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy the power of the magistrate.
Were we to abolish the common law, it would rise triumphant above its own ruins, deriding and defying its impotent enemies.
3. To challenge to say or do any thing.
DEFY, noun A challenge.