defence

Study(33)

/dɪˈfɛns/

noun 5verb 1

Collocations

(noun.) action to protect sb/sth from attack

ADJ

adequate, effective

natural

Sleep is the body's natural defence against illness and infection.

national | air | civil | nuclear

VERB + DEFENCE

organize, plan

The general organized the defence of the castle against the enemy attack.

come to, leap to, rush to, spring to

When the other kids laughed at him, his older sister immediately came to his defence.

PREP

in ~ of

She spoke passionately in defence of the new policy at the community meeting.

~ against

The city built a strong wall as defence against invading armies.

PHRASES

weapons of defence

(noun.) sth that protects sb/sth from sth

ADJ

effective | coastal, sea

VERB + DEFENCE

put up

The team put up a strong defence in the second half and nearly won the match.

overcome, overwhelm

The team's strong defensive strategy was eventually overcome by the opposing side's relentless attacking play.

build (up)

The government built up its defence against cyber attacks over the past year.

breach

The thieves breached the museum's defence system and stole several valuable paintings.

DEFENCE + NOUN

mechanism

PREP

~ against

(noun.) forces, etc. for protecting a country

DEFENCE + NOUN

force/forces, system | minister, ministry | policy, strategy | industry | budget, cuts, expenditure, spending

(noun.) legal argument

ADJ

good | robust, spirited, strong | adequate | legal

VERB + DEFENCE

conduct, make, mount, put up, raise | destroy

DEFENCE + NOUN

counsel, lawyer

PREP

in sb's ~

The lawyer argued in her client's defence during the trial yesterday.

~ of, ~ to

The lawyer argued that insanity was a valid defence to the charge of theft.

PHRASES

counsel for the defence

(noun.) in sport

ADJ

good, strong, stubborn

VERB + DEFENCE

put up | destroy | strengthen

PREP

in ~

The goalkeeper played in defence for the national team for ten years.

Definitions

noun

The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.

In cases of defence ’tis best to weigh The enemy more mighty than he seems:

Something used to oppose attacks.

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.

An argument in support or justification of something.

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.

A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.

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.

The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.

verb

To furnish with defences; to fortify.

Better manned and more strongly defenced.