adjective characterized by a bold disregard or contempt for authority or opposition; refusing to obey.Upon hearing of the new regulations, the defiant workers went on strike.His defiant behavior toward the guards resulted…

transitive verb to cast (someone) permanently out of a country by official action.He was banished from the country for his part in antigovernment demonstrations. See the full entry

noun the belief that everything will turn out well, or that there are good aspects of every situation. (Cf. pessimism.)He was always surprised at her optimism considering all the misfortunes that she…

adverb in or to a country that is not one’s own.Born and raised in England, he had never travelled abroad before. adjective in a country outside of one’s own.Our products are being…

adjective carefully attentive to every small detail; painstaking.He appreciated having a meticulous editor who would pore over his manuscript. See the full entry