defence
/dɪˈfɛns/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.51 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
British usage; Countable; Uncountable
noun
A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
British usage; Countable; Uncountable
noun
The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
British usage; Countable; Uncountable
noun
Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
British usage; Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "In cases of defence ’tis best to weigh The enemy more mighty than he seems:"
- "And nothing ’gainst Time’s scythe can make defence Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence."
- "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."
- "Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt, Against thy reasons making no defence."
- "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."
- "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."
Etymology
From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced Old English bewering.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- British English: /dɪˈfɛns/
Usage
- British usage
- Countable
- Uncountable
- Obsolete
- Transitive verb