167. Defiance

1. Becket, Thomasà (c. 1118–1170 ) uncompromisingly defended the rights of the Church against King Henry II. [Br. Hist.: NCE, 2735]
2. Mahon, Christopher defies his father twice, knocking him out with a blow on the head. [Irish Drama: J. M. Synge The Playboy of the Western World in Magill I, 758]
3. Man for All Seasons, A Sir Thomas More (1478–1535) refuses to acknowledge Henry VIII as supreme head of the church. [Br. Hist.: Benét, 686; Br. Drama: Robert Bolt A Man for All Seasons in On Stage, 439]
4. Tell, William Swiss patriot refused to salute the Austrian governor’s cap. [Swiss Legend: Brewer Dictionary, 885]

Defiance ★★ 1979 (PG)

A former merchant seaman moves into a tenement in a run-down area of New York City. When a local street gang begins terrorizing the neighborhood, he decides to take a stand. Familiar plotline handled well in this thoughtful film. 101m/C VHS . Jan-Michael Vincent, Art Carney, Theresa Saldana, Danny Aiello; D: John Flynn; W: Thomas Michael Donnelly; M: John Beal, Basil Poledouris.

defiance declaration of hostilities XIV; challenge to combat XV; setting at nought XVIII. — (O)F. défiance (now only ‘distrust’), f. défier DEFY; see -ANCE.
Hence defiant XIX.

de·fi·ance / diˈfīəns/ • n. open resistance; bold disobedience.