defence
EnglishEdit
Alternative formsEdit
EtymologyEdit
From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Latin dēfensa (“protection”).
PronunciationEdit
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /dɪˈfɛns/
Audio (UK) (file)
- Rhymes: -ɛns
NounEdit
defence (countable and uncountable, plural defences) (British spelling)
- The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
- c. 1598, William Shakespeare, Henry V, Act II, Scene 4,[1]
- In cases of defence ’tis best to weigh
- The enemy more mighty than he seems:
- c. 1598, William Shakespeare, Henry V, Act II, Scene 4,[1]
- Something used to oppose attacks.
- 1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet 12,[2]
- And nothing ’gainst Time’s scythe can make defence
- Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
- 1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet 12,[2]
- An argument in support or justification of something.
- 1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet 89,[3]
- Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,
- Against thy reasons making no defence.
- 2016 June 11, Phil McNulty, “England 1-1 Russia”, in BBC Sport[4]:
- 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.
- 1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet 89,[3]
- (team sports) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
- (team sports) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
- Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
- Department of Defence
- (obsolete) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
- 1673, William Temple, “An Essay upon the Advancement of Trade in Ireland” in Miscellanea, London: Edw[ard] Gellibrand, 1680, p. 116,[5]
- […] severe defences may be made against weaving any Linnen under a certain breadth, such as may be of better use to the poorest People […]
- 1673, William Temple, “An Essay upon the Advancement of Trade in Ireland” in Miscellanea, London: Edw[ard] Gellibrand, 1680, p. 116,[5]
SynonymsEdit
AntonymsEdit
Usage notesEdit
The noun spelling is mainly used in the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, defense is more commonly used in America.
Derived termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
defence — see defense
VerbEdit
defence (third-person singular simple present defences, present participle defencing, simple past and past participle defenced)
- (obsolete, transitive) To furnish with defences; to fortify.
- 1656, John Hales, Dixi Custodiam
- Better manned and more strongly defenced.
- 1656, John Hales, Dixi Custodiam