De*fence" (d&esl;*f&ebreve;ns"), n. & v.
t. See Defense.
{ De*fense", De*fence" } (?),
n. [F. défense, OF. defense,
fem., defens, masc., fr. L. defensa (cf. LL.
defensum), from defendere. See Defend, and cf.
Fence.] 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. (Law) 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.
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.
