*défeuillaison, n.f., defoliation.
*défeuiller, v.a., to take off the leaves. Le vent a défeuillé les arbres; the wind has blown off the leaves.
se défeuiller, v.r., to lose, to shed their leaves (of trees). Les arbres se défeuillent; the trees are losing, shedding their leaves.
défi, n.m., defiance, challenge. Un cartel de —; a written challenge. Envoyer un — à quelqu’un; to send any one a challenge. Je lui ai fait un — aux échecs; I challenged him to a game at chess. Mettre au —; to set at defiance.
défiance, n.f., distrust, mistrust; diffidence, caution. Concevoir de la —; to entertain distrust. Être dans la —; to have one’s misgivings. Une sotte — le retient; he is held back by a foolish diffidence.
défiant, -e, adj., distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious.
déficient, -e, adj., (arith.) deficient.
déficit (-sit), n.m., deficit, deficiency. Combler le —; to make up the deficit.
défier, v.a., to defy, to challenge; to brave, to face, to dare; to set at defiance. — quelqu’un au trictrac; to challenge any one to play at backgammon. — les dangers, to face dangers. Il ne faut jamais — un fou; never bid defiance to a madman. Je vous défie de m’en donner la preuve; I defy you to give me a proof of it.
défier, v.n., (nav.) to bear off, to fend.