defense
English meaning: Defense
Definition
The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
Example
“The country spends a large share of its budget on national defense.”
Another example: “In court, the defense argued that the evidence had been mishandled.”
Usage — When, Where & How
The standard US spelling (UK uses 'defence'); covers protection, military forces, sport, and law ('the defense rested'). Formal in legal and military registers, everyday in sport.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'defense', from Latin 'defensa', from 'defendere' 'to ward off'; in English from the 13th century.
Synonyms
- vindication
- denial
- refutation
- demurrer
- defence
- defence reaction
- defense mechanism
- defensive structure
- dod
- defence mechanism
Antonyms / Opposites
- attack
- offense
- prosecution
- assault
Related Words
- dod
- adc
- meritorious
- authorization
- offense
- attorneys
- rushing
- missile
- contractor
- counsel
Common Collocations
- national defense
- self-defense
- line of defense
- defense mechanism
- defense attorney
Word Forms
defense (n, US) / defence (UK); defenses; defend (v); defensive (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B