Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Defense

De-fense′

,
Verb.
T.
To furnish with defenses; to fortify.
[Obs.]
[Written also
defence
.]
Better manned and more strongly
defensed
.
Hales.

Webster 1828 Edition


Defense

DEFENSE

, n.
1.
Any thing that opposes attack, violence, danger or injury; any thing that secures the person, the rights or the possessions of men; fortification; guard; protection; security. A wall, a parapet, a ditch, or a garrison, is the defense of a city or fortress. The Almighty is the defense of the righteous. Ps. 1ix.
2.
Vindication; justification; apology; that which repels or disproves a charge or accusation.
Men, brethren, fathers, hear ye my defense. Acts xxii.
3.
In law, the defendants reply to the plaintiffs declaration, demands or charges.
4.
Prohibition.
5.
Resistance; opposition.
6.
The science of defending against enemies; military skill.
7.
In fortification, a work that flanks another.

DEFENSE

,
Verb.
T.
To defend by fortification.

Definition 2024


defense

defense

See also: défense

English

Alternative forms

Noun

defense (plural defenses) (American)

  1. The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
  2. Anything employed to oppose attack(s).
    1. (team sports) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
    2. (team sports) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
  3. An argument in support or justification of something.
  4. Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
    Department of Defense
  5. (obsolete) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
    • Sir W. Temple
      Severe defenses [] against wearing any linen under a certain breadth.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:defense

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations


Latin

Participle

dēfense

  1. vocative masculine singular of dēfensus