Defense /(?)/

De·fense

Defense

n.
  1. The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.
    In cases of defense 't is best to weigh The enemy more mighty than he seems.
  2. That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection.
    War would arise in defense of the right.
    God, the widow's champion and defense.
  3. Protecting plea; vindication; justification.
    Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense.
    — Acts xxii. 1.
  4. The defendant's answer or plea; an opposing or denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff's or prosecutor's case; the method of proceeding adopted by the defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff's action. (Law)
  5. Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc.
    A man of great defense.
    By how much defense is better than no skill.
  6. Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance. [Obs.]
    Severe defenses . . . against wearing any linen under a certain breadth.

Defense

v. t.
  1. To furnish with defenses; to fortify. [Obs.]
    Better manned and more strongly defensed.