Defense

Defense
Defense De*fense", Defence De*fence", n. [F. d['e]fense, OF. defense, fem., defens, masc., fr. L. defensa (cf. LL. defensum), from defendere. See {Defend}, and cf. {Fence}.] 1. The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger. [1913 Webster]

In cases of defense 't is best to weigh The enemy more mighty than he seems. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection. [1913 Webster]

War would arise in defense of the right. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

God, the widow's champion and defense. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Protecting plea; vindication; justification. [1913 Webster]

Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense. --Acts xxii. 1. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

5. Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc. [1913 Webster]

A man of great defense. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

By how much defense is better than no skill. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Severe defenses . . . against wearing any linen under a certain breadth. --Sir W. Temple. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • defense — de·fense /di fens, dē ˌfens/ n 1: the act or action of defending see also self defense 2 a: the theory or ground that forms the basis for a defendant s opposition to an allegation in a complaint or to a charge in a charging instrument (as an… …   Law dictionary

  • Defense — Défense Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Defense — or defence (see ce/ se) may refer to: Tactics and strategy of defending against attack Defense (military) Defense (sports) Defender (association football) Defenceman (ice hockey) Biological defense (disambiguation) a Chess opening as created in… …   Wikipedia

  • defense — de ne faire quelque chose, Vetatio. Defense, ou menace, Interdictum. Defense qu on fait pour soy, Causae dictio. Defense contre les ennemis, Propugnatio, Tutamentum, Munimentum, Presidium, Defensio. Defense de soy, Tuitio sui. Defense contre… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • defense — DEFENSE. sub. f. Protection, soutien, appui qu on donne à quelqu un contre ses ennemis, à quelque chose contre ceux qui l attaquent. Prendre les armes pour la défense de son Pays, de la Religion. S armer pour la commune défense, pour sa propre… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • defense — Defense. s. f. Soustien, protection, appuy. Prendre les armes pour la defense de son pays, de la Religion. s armer pour la commune defense. la defense de sa cause. prendre la defense de l innocent. se mettre en defense, pour dire, Se mettre en… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • defense — c.1300, forbidding, prohibition, also action of guarding or protecting, from O.Fr. defense, from L. defensus, pp. of defendere ward off, protect (see DEFEND (Cf. defend)). But it also arrived (without the final e) from O.Fr. defens, from L.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • defense — [dē fens′, difens′; ] also, and for n.6 usually, [dē′fens΄] n. [ME < OFr < LL defensa < fem. of L defensus, pp. of defendere] 1. the act or power of defending, or guarding against attack, harm, or danger 2. the fact or state of being… …   English World dictionary

  • defense — FINANCE LAW the American spelling of defence * * * defense UK US /dɪˈfens/ noun US spelling of ► DEFENCE(Cf. ↑defence) …   Financial and business terms

  • Défense N.B.C. — ● Défense N.B.C. défense contre les effets des armes nucléaires, biologiques et chimiques, appelées autrefois armes spéciales …   Encyclopédie Universelle

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