1. The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.
In cases of defense 't is best to weigh
The enemy more mighty than he seems.
Shak. 2. That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or
maintain security; a guard; a protection.
War would arise in defense of the right.
Tennyson.
God, the widow's champion and defense.
Shak. 3. Protecting plea; vindication; justification.
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense.
Acts xxii. 1. 4. (Law) 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.
5. Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing,
etc.
A man of great defense.
Spenser.
By how much defense is better than no skill.
Shak. 6. Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance. [Obs.]
Severe defenses . . . against wearing any linen under a certain breadth.
Sir W. Temple. Defense
(De*fense"), v. t. To furnish with defenses; to fortify. [Obs.] [Written also defence.]
Better manned and more strongly defensed.
Hales. Defenseless
(De*fense"less), a. Destitute of defense; unprepared to resist attack; unable to oppose; unprotected.
— De*fense"less*ly, adv. — De*fense"less*ness, n.
Defenser
(De*fens"er) n. [Cf. F. défenseur, L. defensor. Cf. Defensor.] Defender. [Obs.] Foxe.
Defensibility
(De*fen`si*bil"i*ty) n. Capability of being defended.
Defensible
(De*fen"si*ble) a. [Cf. F. défensable, LL. defensabilis, defensibilis. See Defense, and cf.
Defendable.]
1. Capable of being defended; as, a defensible city, or a defensible cause.
2. Capable of offering defense. [Obs.] Shak.
Defensibleness
(De*fen"si*ble*ness) n. Capability of being defended; defensibility. Priestley.
Defensive
(De*fen"sive) a. [Cf. F. défensif.]
1. Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive; as, defensive armor.
A moat defensive to a house.
Shak. 2. Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; — opposed to offensive; as, defensive war.
