defence

English

/dɪˈfɛns/, /dɪˈfɛns/, /ˈdiːˌfɛns/

noun
Definitions
  • The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
  • Something used to oppose attacks.
  • An argument in support or justification of something.
  • (team) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
  • (team) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
  • Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
  • (obsolete) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.

Etymology

Derived from French défense (defense) derived from Latin dēfensa (protection).

Origin

Latin

dēfensa

Gloss

protection

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms