Defense — Defs

01 n. The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.

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.” — Shak.
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.” — Tennyson.

“God, the widow's champion and defense.” — Shak.
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.” — Spenser.

“By how much defense is better than no skill.” — Shak.
6.
Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.[Obs.]
“Severe defenses . . . against wearing any linen under a certain breadth.” — Sir W. Temple.

02 v. t. To furnish with defenses; to fortify.

1.
To furnish with defenses; to fortify.[Obs.]
“Better manned and more strongly defensed.” — Hales.