n. [ F. défaillance. ] Failure; miscarriage. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Possibility of defailance in degree or continuance. Comber. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. defiance, desfiance, challenge, fr. desfier to challenge, F. défier. See Defy. ] 1. The act of defying, putting in opposition, or provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat. [ 1913 Webster ]

A war without a just defiance made. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Stood for her cause, and flung defiance down. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A state of opposition; willingness to flight; disposition to resist; contempt of opposition. [ 1913 Webster ]

He breathed defiance to my ears. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A casting aside; renunciation; rejection. [ Obs. ] “Defiance to thy kindness.” Ford. [ 1913 Webster ]

To bid defiance,
To set at defiance, to defy; to disregard recklessly or contemptuously. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]