defiantadj.
/dɪˈfʌɪənt/ 1. Showing a disposition to defy; manifesting a spirit of defiance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > [adjective] > defiant
stout1390
outbraving1593
outfacing1598
dareful1614
defiatory1635
outdaring1644
braving1679
defensive1785
bravadoing1809
defying1834
defianta1837
the mind > emotion > courage > moral courage > one who braves danger > [adjective]
bravish1538
defianta1837
stand-up1841
a1837 S. E. Brydges cited in Worcester
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes iv. 226 The man's heart that dare rise defiant..against Hell itself.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. II. xi. 510 The defiant attitude which she had assumed.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. xx. 252 She had started up with defiant words ready to burst from her lips.
2. Feeling distrust. [= modern French défiant.]
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > lack of confidence, distrust, suspicion > [adjective]
ortrowOE
truthlessa1200
untristc1374
mistrusty?a1425
overtrowinga1425
diffidenta1460
in suspicion1471
suspicionous1474
suspectious1521
mistrustful1529
surmising1535
distrusting1549
trustless?1550
mistrusting1552
misgiving1567
suspectfula1586
misdoubtful1596
distrustfula1600
shy1600
misdoubting1601
scrupulous1608
jealousa1616
umbratiousa1639
inconfident1667
suspecting1691
unconfiding1820
untrusting1861
defiant1872
leery1896
suspicionful1911
hincty1929
1872 C. J. Lever Ld. Kilgobbin (1875) xv. 98 He was less defiant, or mistrustful.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
<
adj.a1837