2. (Med.)
Defn: The subsidence of a febrile process; as, the stage of defervescence in pneumonia.
DEFEUDALIZE
De*feu"dal*ize, v. t.
Defn: To deprive of the feudal character or form.
DEFIANCE De*fi"ance, n. Etym: [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. A war without a just defiance made. Dryden. Stood for her cause, and flung defiance down. Tennyson.
2. A state of opposition; willingness to flight; disposition to resist; contempt of opposition. He breathed defiance to my ears. Shak.
3. A casting aside; renunciation; rejection. [Obs.] "Defiance to thy kindness." Ford. To bid defiance, To set at defiance, to defy; to disregard recklessly or contemptuously. Locke.
DEFIANT
De*fi"ant, a. Etym: [Cf. F. défiant, p. pr. of défier. See Defy.]
Defn: Full of defiance; bold; insolent; as, a defiant spirit or act.
In attitude stern and defiant. Longfellow.
— De*fi"ant*ly, adv.
— De*fi"ant*ness, n.