Defense

/di'fens/

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Thân thiện

Definition

Noun:
- The action of protecting from or resisting attack: The act of guarding someone or something against harm, danger, or assault.
- A means or method of protecting something: A structure, system, or measure used to provide security.
- The case presented by or on behalf of a defendant in a legal proceeding: The justification, arguments, and evidence opposing the charges in a court of law.
- The team or players in a sport who try to prevent the opposing team from scoring: The players whose primary role is to stop the other team's offense.
- An organization or military force for protecting a country: The military resources and institutions of a nation.
- A justification or argument in support of something: A reason or set of facts offered to explain or support an idea or action.
- (Psychology) An unconscious mental process to reduce anxiety: A mechanism used to cope with conflicting thoughts or feelings.

Examples of Usage

Noun:
- The castle's defense was strong against the invading army.
- She hired a lawyer for her defense in court.
- The team's defense was impenetrable, and they won the game 1-0.
- The Ministry of Defense issued a new statement.
- He wrote a passionate defense of free speech.
- Rationalization is a common psychological defense mechanism.

Advanced Usage

"In defense of": To protect, support, or justify someone or something.
- He spoke in defense of his colleague's controversial decision.
"Mount a defense": To organize and present a case against an accusation.
- The legal team worked all night to mount a defense.
"The best defense is a good offense" (Proverb): Being proactive and attacking can be the most effective way to protect yourself.

Variants and Related Words

Synonyms

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Defend against: To protect from a specific threat.
- Vaccines help defend against serious diseases.
Defend oneself: To protect oneself from attack or criticism.
- She had to defend herself against the false accusations.

Related Idioms

On the defensive: In a state or position of defending against criticism or attack.
- The scandal put the company on the defensive.
Circle the wagons: To become defensive and protect a group from outside criticism or attack.
- When the media criticized the family, they circled the wagons and refused to comment.

Noun

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
a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
- he gave evidence for the defense
a structure used to defend against attack
- the artillery battered down the defenses
an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack
- he joined the defense against invasion
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
the defendant and his legal advisors collectively
- the defense called for a mistrial
the federal department responsible for safeguarding national security of the United States; created in 1947
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
the justification for some act or belief
- he offered a persuasive defense of the theory
(sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring
- his teams are always good on defense
protection from harm
- sanitation is the best defense against disease
(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

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