noun
- the act or power of defending, or guarding against attack, harm, or danger
- the fact or state of being defended
- something that defends; means of or resources for protection
- a plan or system for defending
- justification or support by speech or writing; vindication
- self-protection, as by boxing
- Sports
- a team when it is attempting to prevent scoring by an opponent in any contest
- the ability to prevent an opposing team from scoring
- the strategy, plays, etc. used to prevent an opposing team from scoring
- the arguments in behalf of the defendant in a law case
- ☆ the defendant and his or her lawyer or lawyers, collectively
Origin:
ME < OFr < LL defensa < fem. of L defensus, pp. of defendere
transitive verb defensed, defensing
Informal to plan or execute a defense against (esp. an offensive maneuver) in a game or sport