defense

Main Entry:: ¹de·fense
Pronunciation:: \di-ˈfen(t)s; as antonym of “offense,” often ˈdē-ˌ\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin defensa vengeance, from Latin, feminine of defensus, past participle of defendere
Date:: 14th century

1 a: the act or action of defending <the defense of our country> <speak out in defense of justice> b: a defendant's denial, answer, or plea2 a: capability of resisting attack b: defensive play or ability <a player known for good defense>3 a: means or method of defending or protecting oneself, one's team, or another ; also : a defensive structure b: an argument in support or justification c: the collected facts and method adopted by a defendant to protect and defend against a plaintiff's action d: a sequence of moves available in chess to the second player in the opening4 a: a defending party or group (as in a court of law) <the defense rests> b: a defensive team5: the military and industrial aggregate that authorizes and supervises arms production <appropriations for defense> <defense contract>

— de·fense·less

\-ləs\ adjective

— de·fense·less·ly adverb

— de·fense·less·ness noun

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