defence
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /dɪˈfɛns/
rhymes: -ɛns
Forms: form: defences
form: defense
Etymology: From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced Old English bewering.
Senses: examples: text: In cases of defence ’tis best to weigh
The enemy more mighty than he seems:
ref: 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]:
glosses: The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
examples: text: And nothing ’gainst Time’s scythe can make defence
Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
ref: 1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 12”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:
text: As governments and health officials continue to flip-flop on vaccine age requirements, and anti-vaxxers spread falsehoods through social media and protests, the vaxxie might just be a powerful line of defence against vaccine hesitancy.
ref: 2021 July 28, Louise Grimmer, Gary Mortimer, Martin Grimmer, “Vaccine selfies may seem trivial, but they show people doing their civic duty — and probably encourage others too”, in The Conversation:
glosses: Something used to oppose attacks.
examples: text: Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,
Against thy reasons making no defence.
ref: 1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 89”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:
text: In Hodgson's defence, it must be stated that in large parts this was a vibrant, energetic performance with the emphasis almost exclusively on attack.
ref: 2016 June 11, Phil McNulty, “England 1-1 Russia”, in BBC Sport:
glosses: An argument in support or justification of something.
qualifier: team sports
glosses: A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
qualifier: team sports
glosses: The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
examples: text: Department of Defence
glosses: Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
examples: 1673, William Temple, “An Essay upon the Advancement of Trade in Ireland” in Miscellanea, London: Edw[ard] Gellibrand, 1680, p. 116,
[…] severe defences may be made against weaving any Linnen under a certain breadth, such as may be of better use to the poorest People […]
glosses: Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
Derived terms: antidefence
antidefense
attack is the best form of defence
biodefence
civil defence
defence accord
defence diplomacy
defence in depth
defence lawyer
defenceless
defenseless
defenceman
defence mechanism
defense mechanism
defensive
defensiveness
eco-defence
ecodefence
ecodefense
goal defence
home defence
millionaire's defence
Nuremberg defence
Nuremberg defense
Pac-Man defence
personal defence weapon
point defence
Portsmouth defence
preemptive self-defence
rush defence
self-defence
space defence
special defence
spring to somebody's defence
the best defence is attack
tower defence
Twinkie defence
wing defence