defence en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- /dɪˈfɛns/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced Old English bewering.
Meanings
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(UK, countable, uncountable) The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
In cases of defence ’tis best to weigh The enemy more mighty than he seems:
1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]:
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(UK, countable, uncountable) Something used to oppose attacks.
As governments and health officials continue to flip-flop on vaccine age requirements, and anti-vaxxers spread falsehoods through social media and protests, the vaxxie might just be a powerful line of defence against vaccine hesitancy.
2021 July 28, Louise Grimmer, Gary Mortimer, Martin Grimmer, “Vaccine selfies may seem trivial, but they show people doing their civic duty — and probably encourage others too”, in The Conversation, archived from the original on 19 Aug 2021:And nothing ’gainst Time’s scythe can make defence Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 12”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:
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(UK, countable, uncountable) An argument in support or justification of something.
Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt, Against thy reasons making no defence.
1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 89”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:In Hodgson's defence, it must be stated that in large parts this was a vibrant, energetic performance with the emphasis almost exclusively on attack.
2016 June 11, Phil McNulty, “England 1-1 Russia”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 24 May 2024:
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(UK, countable, qualifier:team sports, uncountable) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
But the Danes remained resolute in defence - largely thanks to a spirited display by captain Daniel Agger - and they went ahead with their first meaningful attack.
2012 June 9, Owen Phillips, “Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 09 Sep 2025:
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(UK, countable, qualifier:team sports, uncountable) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott.
2011 November 10, Jeremy Wilson, “England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report”, in The Telegraph, archived from the original on 05 Dec 2012:
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(UK, countable, uncountable) Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
Department of Defence
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(UK, countable, obsolete, uncountable) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
1673, William Temple, “An Essay upon the Advancement of Trade in Ireland” in Miscellanea, London: Edw[ard] Gellibrand, 1680, p. 116, […] severe defences may be made against weaving any Linnen under a certain breadth, such as may be of better use to the poorest People […]
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| defense | US, alternative | lexicographic | |
| defences | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Antonyms
Deriveds
defence diplomacy · wing defence · antidefense · Nuremberg defense · defensive · defence force · goal defence · defence gun · point defence · Nuremberg defence · home defence · ecodefence · ecodefense · civil defence · the best defence is attack · biodefence · preemptive self-defence · special defence · defence lawyer · spring to somebody's defence · attack is the best form of defence · Pac-Man defence · antidefence · defenceless · self-defence · millionaire's defence · Twinkie defence · defence mechanism · space defence · defence-splitting · defensiveness · defence counsel · defense mechanism · defence accord · Portsmouth defence · personal defence weapon · tower defence · defenseless · defenceman · defence in depth · eco-defence · rush defence