defence

(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires

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

the defendant and his legal advisors collectively; "the defense called for a mistrial"

an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack; "he joined the defense against invasion"

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 justification for some act or belief; "he offered a persuasive defense of the theory"

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

(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies; "they died in the defense of Stalingrad"; "they were developed for the defense program"

protection from harm; "sanitation is the best defense against disease"