Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Defence
1.
The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.
In cases of
The enemy more mighty than he seems.
defense
’t is best to weighThe enemy more mighty than he seems.
Shakespeare
2.
That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection.
War would arise in
defense
of the right. Tennyson.
God, the widow's champion and
defense
. Shakespeare
3.
Protecting plea; vindication; justification.
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my
defense
. Acts xxii. 1.
4.
(Law)
The defendant's answer or plea; an opposing or denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff's or prosecutor's case; the method of proceeding adopted by the defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff's action.
5.
Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc.
A man of great
defense
. Spenser.
By how much
defense
is better than no skill. Shakespeare
6.
Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
[Obs.]
Severe
defenses
. . . against wearing any linen under a certain breadth. Sir W. Temple.
Definition 2024
defence
defence
English
Alternative forms
- defense (US)
Noun
defence (plural defences) (British)
- The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
- Shakespeare
- In cases of defence 'tis best to weigh / The enemy more mighty than he seems.
- Shakespeare
- Something used to oppose attack(s).
- 1592—1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet XII:
- And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence
- Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
- 1592—1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet XII:
- An argument in support or justification of something.
- 1592—1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet LXXXIX:
- Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,
- Against thy reasons making no defence.
- (team sports) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
- (team sports) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
- Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
- Department of Defence
- (obsolete) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
- Sir W. Temple
- Severe defences […] against wearing any linen under a certain breadth.
- Sir W. Temple
Synonyms
- See Wikisaurus:defence
Antonyms
Derived terms
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Translations
defence — see defense
Verb
defence (third-person singular simple present defences, present participle defencing, simple past and past participle defenced)