də̇ˈfen(t)sər, dēˈ-, -nˌsȯ(ə)r noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English defensour, from Latin defensor, from defensus (past participle of defendere to defend) + -or — more at defend
1. obsolete : defender
2.
a. Roman law : one who voluntarily undertook the defense of a case and gave security to satisfy the judgment
b. : an advocate conducting the defense of a case in court
3.
[Late Latin, from Latin]
: an advocate in the later Roman Empire:
a. : a municipal officer appointed to protect the people from oppression
b. : a layman or member of the clergy appointed to defend the rights and property of the church
4.
[Late Latin, from Latin]
: the patron of a church : an officer having charge of the temporal affairs of a church