dɪˈfens n. (US defense) 1
the act of defending
from or resisting
attack. 2 a a
means of resisting attack. b a
thing that protects. c the
military resources of a
country. 3 (in pl.) fortifications. 4 a justification, vindication. b a
speech or
piece of
writing used to
this end. 5 a the defendant's case in a
lawsuit. b the
counsel for the
defendant. 6 a the
action or
role of defending one's
goal etc.
against attack. b the players in a
team who perform this role. ødefence
mechanism 1 the body's
reaction against
disease organisms. 2 a usu.
unconscious mental process to
avoid conscious conflict or
anxiety. øødefenceless adj. defencelessly adv. defencelessness n. [ME f. OF defens(e) f. LL defensum, -a,
past part. of defendere: see DEFEND]