Defence - Definition

n 1: (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce
the anxiety associated with instinctive desires [syn:
defense mechanism, defense reaction, defence
mechanism, defence reaction, defense, defence]
2: (sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team
from scoring; "his teams are always good on defense" [syn:
defense, defence, defending team] [ant: offence,
offense]
3: the defendant and his legal advisors collectively; "the
defense called for a mistrial" [syn: defense, defence,
defense team, defense lawyers] [ant: prosecution]
4: an organization of defenders that provides resistance against
attack; "he joined the defense against invasion" [syn:
defense, defence, defense force, defence force]
5: the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions;
"his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive"; "in
defense he said the other man started it" [syn: refutation,
defense, defence]
6: the justification for some act or belief; "he offered a
persuasive defense of the theory" [syn: defense, defence,
vindication]
7: a structure used to defend against attack; "the artillery
battered down the defenses" [syn: defensive structure,
defense, defence]
8: a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges
against him; "he gave evidence for the defense" [syn:
defense, defence, denial, demurrer] [ant: criminal
prosecution, prosecution]
9: (military) military action or resources protecting a country
against potential enemies; "they died in the defense of
Stalingrad"; "they were developed for the defense program"
[syn: defense, defence, defensive measure]
10: protection from harm; "sanitation is the best defense
against disease" [syn: defense, defence]
11: the act of defending someone or something against attack or
injury; "a good boxer needs a good defense"; "defense
against hurricanes is an urgent problem" [syn: defense,
defence]