Nearby Words
noun
1.
resistance against attack; protection: Two more regiments are needed for the defense of the city.
2.
something that defends, as a fortification, physical or mental quality, or medication: This fort was once the main defense of the island.
3.
the defending of a cause or the like by speech, argument, etc.: He spoke in defense of the nation's foreign policy.
4.
a speech, argument, etc., in vindication: She delivered a defense of free enterprise.
5.
EXPANDLaw.
a.
the denial or pleading of the defendant in answer to the claim or charge that has been made.
b.
the proceedings adopted by a defendant, or the defendant's legal agents, for defending against the charges that have been made.
c.
a defendant and his or her counsel.
6.
Psychology. defense mechanism (def. 2).
7.
Sports.
a.
b.
the team attempting to thwart the attack of the team having the ball or puck.
d.
the positions on the field, ice, etc., taken by such players.
8.
COLLAPSE(initial capital letter) Also called Defense Department. Informal. the Department of Defense.
verb (used with object)
9.
Sports. to defend against (an opponent, play, or tactic).
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Defenselessness
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Also, especially British, defence.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin dēfēnsa a forbidding, noun use of feminine of past participle of Latin dēfendere to defend; replacing Middle English defens < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin defēnsum (thing) forbidden, neuter past participle of Latin dēfendere
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin dēfēnsa a forbidding, noun use of feminine of past participle of Latin dēfendere to defend; replacing Middle English defens < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin defēnsum (thing) forbidden, neuter past participle of Latin dēfendere
Related forms
de·fense·less, adjective
de·fense·less·ly, adverb
de·fense·less·ness, noun
non·de·fense, noun, adjective
pre·de·fense, noun
EXPANDun·de·fensed, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
1. security, preservation, safeguard. 3. support, advocacy, justification.
1. security, preservation, safeguard. 3. support, advocacy, justification.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
|
Link To defenselessness
Collins
World English Dictionary
| defence or defense (dɪˈfɛns) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | resistance against danger, attack, or harm; protection |
| 2. | a person or thing that provides such resistance |
| 3. | a plea, essay, speech, etc, in support of something; vindication; justification |
| 4. | a. a country's military measures or resources |
| b. (as modifier): defence spending | |
| 5. | law a defendant's denial of the truth of the allegations or charge against him |
| 6. | law Compare prosecution the defendant and his legal advisers collectively |
| 7. | sport |
| a. the action of protecting oneself, one's goal, or one's allotted part of the playing area against an opponent's attacks | |
| b. the method of doing this | |
| c. the defence the players in a team whose function is to do this | |
| 8. | ( |
| a. the team that does not have possession of the ball | |
| b. the members of a team that play in such circumstances | |
| 9. | psychoanal See defence mechanism |
| 10. | (plural) fortifications |
| [C13: from Old French, from Late Latin dēfensum, past participle of dēfendere to | |
| defense or defense | |
| —n | |
| [C13: from Old French, from Late Latin dēfensum, past participle of dēfendere to | |
| de'fenceless or defense | |
| —adj | |
| de'fenseless or defense | |
| —adj | |
| de'fencelessly or defense | |
| —adv | |
| de'fenselessly or defense | |
| —adv | |
| de'fencelessness or defense | |
| —n | |
| de'fenselessness or defense | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
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