defence

Definition

  • n. (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
  • n. (sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring
  • n. the defendant and his legal advisors collectively
  • n. an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack
  • n. the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
  • n. the justification for some act or belief
  • n. a structure used to defend against attack
  • n. a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
  • n. (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
  • n. protection from harm
  • n. the act of defending someone or something against attack or injury

Word forms

Plural
defences

Example sentences

  1. n.

    The castle's high walls served as a strong defence against enemy attacks.

  2. n.

    The lawyer prepared a solid defence to prove his client's innocence in court.