Defence
[di'fens]
Definition
(n. & v. t.) See Defense.
(n.) The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.
(n.) That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection.
(n.) Protecting plea; vindication; justification.
(n.) The defendant's answer or plea; an opposing or denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff's or prosecutor's case; the method of proceeding adopted by the defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff's action.
(n.) Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc.
(n.) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
Checker: Rita
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [Written also Defense.] [1]. Protection, guard, buckler, bulwark, fortification, tower of strength.[2]. Vindication, justification, apology, plea, excuse.
Checked by Gregory
Definition
n. a defending: protection: vindication: (law) a defendant's plea.—pa.p. Defenc′ed (B.) fortified.—adj. Defence′less.—adv. Defence′lessly.—n. Defence′lessness.
Edited by Carlos
Examples
- This lost to us the use of his troops for several weeks from the defence of the North. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The first steam war vessel was built in 1814 by Fulton for the defence of New York Harbor, during the then existing war times. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- You exaggerate fearfully, she said in a faint, weary voice; but I cannot enter into my defence--it is not worth doing. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- And it may lessen his guilt if I say that it was done in self-defence, and that John Straker was a man who was entirely unworthy of your confidence. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Her death was tranquil and happy in Rose's guardian arms, for Rose had been her stay and defence through many trials. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I am not sure that in defence of your own life your action will not be pronounced legitimate. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- A court in equity should not look with favor on such a defence. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Emma would not agree to this, and began a warm defence of Miss Fairfax's complexion. Jane Austen. Emma.
- If you are not, skip this bit, and thank God you have got something in the way of a defence between your hair-brush and your head. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- The enemy had about 7,000; but this includes the troops brought over from Columbus who were not engaged in the first defence of Belmont. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The Quakers, whose principles are opposed to fighting, even in their own defence, were most active upon this occasion. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- The most important part of the expense of government, indeed, that of defence and protection, has constantly fallen upon the mother country. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- He alluded to the part himself and curate had taken in the defence of the Hollow. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Worcester burst out a-laughing, in the midst of the colonel's most energetic defence. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- He was a cool, brave man; he stood to the defence with unflinching firmness. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The report from Sheridan embraced his operations up to his passing the outer defences of Richmond. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- We had no infantry or other defences besides our one gun. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Before leaving Spottsylvania, therefore, I sent back to the defences of Washington over one hundred pieces of artillery, with the horses and caissons. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- There was no thought of the child in your heart or in his, I went on, determined to press her back to her last defences. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Compeyson says to me, 'Separate defences, no communication,' and that was all. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- In fact, nowhere after the battle of the Wilderness did Lee show any disposition to leave his defences far behind him. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Such were the defences of Monterey in September, 1847. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Thomas has got back into the defences of Nashville, with Hood close upon him. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- He's going to try, at all events, as he evidently thinks his shot has told heavily on our defences. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- The experience of the 22d convinced officers and men that this was best, and they went to work on the defences and approaches with a will. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Work was therefore pushed with great vigor on the defences, to enable the minimum number of troops to hold the fort. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Since the beginning of time, little by little, stone by stone, have the therns been ever adding to the defences of their stronghold. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- And all the while the pensive, tortured woman piled up her own defences of aesthetic knowledge, and culture, and world-visions, and disinterestedness. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- In that case the enemy himself could have occupied the defences of Corinth and held at bay all the Union troops that arrived. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- We should have a good navy, and our sea-coast defences should be put in the finest possible condition. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
Checker: Uriah