the adjective defiant

I'm getting different information about this online. It seems that if it modifies a noun, then you use "de défi" -- un message, un regard, une voix de défi. But then I came across the sentence "Ils sont restés défi."

On the other hand, "He's very defiant." was translated as "Il est très dèfiant." My understanding is that dèfiant means "distrustful." Is it also used as "defiant?"

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EducatorPermalink Reply by George Hunt on April 1, 2012 at 7:28pm

Are you thinking of "méfiant" ? It means distrustful.

I don't think "Ils sont restés défi." has any meaning at all .Did you mean to write "Ils sont restés défiants." ?- I can't find that exact phrase in Google either... or perhaps "Ils sont restés en défi." ?

I am not sure about "défiant" as an adjective but this webpage

http://www.linternaute.com/dictionnaire/fr/definition/defiant/

seems to be saying that it is a synonym for "méfiant" (ie "distrustful")

Otherwise it could be used as the present participle of "défier" meaning "defying" (although I am not sure if you have to say "se défiant".....)