Dictionary.net

a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him; "he gave evidence for the defense"

the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions; "his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive"; "in defense he said the other man started it"

a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him; "he gave evidence for the defense"

the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions; "his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive"; "in defense he said the other man started it"

the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring; "his teams are always good on defense"

See Defense.

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

That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection.

Protecting plea; vindication; justification.

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.

Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc.

Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.

See Defense.

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

That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection.

Protecting plea; vindication; justification.

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.

Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc.

Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.

Protection.

The act of defending; anything that defends; a plea in justification; excuse; apology.

n. [French] Act of defending, or state of being defended;—that which defends or protects; guard; protection;—the art of defending; military skill;—flanking works or bastions;—resistance; opposition;—vindication; justification; plea;—the reply of a defendant to a charge or allegation.

Guard, protection; vindication, justification, apology; prohibition; resistance; in law, the defendant’s reply after declaration produced; in fortification, the part that flanks another work.