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self-defense definition

self·-defense (-di fens′)

noun

  1. defense of oneself or of one's rights, beliefs, actions, etc.
  2. the skill of boxing
    usually in the phrase manly art of self-defense
  3. Law the right to defend oneself with whatever force is reasonably necessary against actual or threatened violence

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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