Translation
to challenge, to dare; to defy openly
Word origin
From French defier and Italian sfidare, both from Vulgar Latin disfidare, built on dis- ('apart') and fidus ('faithful'). To challenge someone was originally to renounce your good faith towards them, which is why the same root gives fidelity and confide.
- Origin
- Latin, via French
- Root
- disfidare
- English cognates
- defy, defiance, fidelity, confide
Examples
, .
He challenged me in front of everyone, and I could not refuse.
.
Nobody in the village wants to challenge the king.
.
The young poet challenged the old rules of the theatre.
throws something down: you challenge a person to a contest, or you openly refuse to respect a rule. Do not swap it for , which is what you do to a storm or an order you cannot argue with. You an opponent; you an obstacle.
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defii: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Esperanto word "defii" (to challenge, to dare; to defy openly): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 35.