Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Defence
1.
The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.
In cases of
The enemy more mighty than he seems.
defense
’t is best to weighThe enemy more mighty than he seems.
Shakespeare
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
. Shakespeare
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. Shakespeare
6.
Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
[Obs.]
Severe
defenses
. . . against wearing any linen under a certain breadth. Sir W. Temple.