defense

Meaning

Noun

1. The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
2. Anything employed to oppose attack(s).
3. Anything employed to oppose attack(s).
4. An argument in support or justification of something.
5. An argument in support or justification of something.
6. An argument in support or justification of something.
7. Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
8. (obsolete) A prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.

Verb

To employ defensive tactics (so as to block).

Verb

To furnish with defenses; to defend, protect.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/dɪˈfɛns/

Etymology

From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced native Old English bewering. The verb is from the noun.