defence

noun

1. (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
2. (sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring"his teams are always good on defense"
3. the defendant and their legal advisors collectively"the defense called for a mistrial"
4. an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack"he joined the defense against invasion"
5. the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions"his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive"
6. the justification for some act or belief"he offered a persuasive defense of the theory"
7. a structure used to defend against attack"the artillery battered down the defenses"
8. a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against them"he gave evidence for the defense"
9. (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies"they died in the defense of Stalingrad"
10. protection from harm"sanitation is the best defense against disease"
11. the act of defending someone or something against attack or injury"a good boxer needs a good defense"