defence
Part of speech: noun
Morphological type: simple
Etymology: From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced Old English bewering.
Inflected forms:
form: defences
pos: noun
tags: plural
form: defense
pos: noun
tags: alternative
US
Senses:
gloss: The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
pos: noun
tags: UK
countable
uncountable
examples: In cases of defence ’tis best to weigh
The enemy more mighty than he seems:
gloss: Something used to oppose attacks.
pos: noun
tags: UK
countable
uncountable
examples: And nothing ’gainst Time’s scythe can make defence
Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
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.
gloss: An argument in support or justification of something.
pos: noun
tags: UK
countable
uncountable
examples: Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,
Against thy reasons making no defence.
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.
gloss: A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
pos: noun
tags: UK
countable
uncountable
examples: But the Danes remained resolute in defence - largely thanks to a spirited display by captain Daniel Agger - and they went ahead with their first meaningful attack.
gloss: The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
pos: noun
tags: UK
countable
uncountable
examples: The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott.
gloss: Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
pos: noun
tags: UK
countable
uncountable
examples: Department of Defence
gloss: Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
pos: noun
tags: UK
countable
obsolete
uncountable
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 […]
Antonyms: offence
offense
Derived words: antidefence
antidefense
attack is the best form of defence
biodefence
civil defence
defence accord
defence counsel
defence diplomacy
defence force
defence in depth
defence lawyer
defenceless
defenseless
defenceman
defence mechanism
defense mechanism
defence-splitting
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
Translations: