I. di-ˈfen(t)s; as antonym of “offense,” often ˈdē-ˌ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin defensa vengeance, from Latin, feminine of defensus, past participle of defendere
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : the act or action of defending
the defense of our country
speak out in defense of justice
b. : a defendant's denial, answer, or plea
2.
a. : capability of resisting attack
b. : defensive play or ability
a player known for good defense
3.
a. : means or method of defending or protecting oneself, one's team, or another ; also : a defensive structure
b. : an argument in support or justification
c. : the collected facts and method adopted by a defendant to protect and defend against a plaintiff's action
d. : a sequence of moves available in chess to the second player in the opening
4.
a. : a defending party or group (as in a court of law)
the defense rests
b. : a defensive team
5. : the military and industrial aggregate that authorizes and supervises arms production
appropriations for defense
defense contract
• de·fense·less -ləs adjective
• de·fense·less·ly adverb
• de·fense·less·ness noun
II. transitive verb
( de·fensed ; de·fens·ing )
Date: 1950
: to take specific defensive action against (an opposing team or player or an offensive play)