"defence" meaning in All languages combined

See defence on Wiktionary

Noun [English]

IPA: /dɪˈfɛns/ [Received-Pronunciation] Audio: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-defence.wav [Southern-England] Forms: defences [plural]
Rhymes: -ɛns Etymology: From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Latin dēfensa (“protection”). Etymology templates: {{inh|en|enm|defens}} Middle English defens, {{m|enm|defense}} defense, {{der|en|fro|defens}} Old French defens, {{m|fro|defense}} defense, {{der|en|la|dēfensa|t=protection}} Latin dēfensa (“protection”) Head templates: {{en-noun|~}} defence (countable and uncountable, plural defences)
  1. The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury. Tags: UK, countable, uncountable
    Sense id: en-defence-en-noun-ZB5A1Cy4 Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup, English heteronyms Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15
  2. Something used to oppose attacks. Tags: UK, countable, uncountable
    Sense id: en-defence-en-noun-bWZFRAeG
  3. An argument in support or justification of something. Tags: UK, countable, uncountable
    Sense id: en-defence-en-noun-BXk1wfXS
  4. (team sports) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence. Tags: UK, countable, uncountable Categories (topical): Sports
    Sense id: en-defence-en-noun-cKkXWcTd Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup, English heteronyms Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15
  5. (team sports) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence. Tags: UK, countable, uncountable Categories (topical): Sports
    Sense id: en-defence-en-noun-qYAZtYkr Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup, English heteronyms Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15
  6. Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military. Tags: UK, countable, uncountable
    Sense id: en-defence-en-noun-Tr7QurEN
  7. (obsolete) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance. Tags: UK, countable, obsolete, uncountable
    Sense id: en-defence-en-noun-dtiixHu2 Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup, English heteronyms Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: defense [US]

Verb [English]

IPA: /dɪˈfɛns/ [Received-Pronunciation] Audio: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-defence.wav [Southern-England] Forms: defences [present, singular, third-person], defencing [participle, present], defenced [participle, past], defenced [past]
Rhymes: -ɛns Etymology: From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Latin dēfensa (“protection”). Etymology templates: {{inh|en|enm|defens}} Middle English defens, {{m|enm|defense}} defense, {{der|en|fro|defens}} Old French defens, {{m|fro|defense}} defense, {{der|en|la|dēfensa|t=protection}} Latin dēfensa (“protection”) Head templates: {{en-verb}} defence (third-person singular simple present defences, present participle defencing, simple past and past participle defenced)
  1. (obsolete, transitive) To furnish with defences; to fortify. Tags: obsolete, transitive
    Sense id: en-defence-en-verb-1iqqYKZA Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup, English heteronyms Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: defense [US]

Inflected forms

Download JSON data for defence meaning in All languages combined (11.5kB)

{
  "antonyms": [
    {
      "tags": [
        "Commonwealth"
      ],
      "word": "offence"
    },
    {
      "tags": [
        "US"
      ],
      "word": "offense"
    }
  ],
  "derived": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "antidefence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "antidefense"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "attack is the best form of defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "civil defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defence accord"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defence diplomacy"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defence in depth"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defence lawyer"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defenceless"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defenseless"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defence mechanism"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defense mechanism"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defensive"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "defensiveness"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "eco-defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "ecodefence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "ecodefense"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "goal defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "home defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "millionaire's defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "Nuremberg defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "Nuremberg defense"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "Pac-Man defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "personal defence weapon"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "point defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "Portsmouth defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "preemptive self-defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "rush defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "self-defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "space defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "spring to somebody's defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "the best defence is attack"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "tower defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "Twinkie defence"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "word": "wing defence"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English defens",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "enm",
        "2": "defense"
      },
      "expansion": "defense",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French defens",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "fro",
        "2": "defense"
      },
      "expansion": "defense",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "dēfensa",
        "t": "protection"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin dēfensa (“protection”)",
      "name": "der"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Latin dēfensa (“protection”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "defences",
      "tags": [
        "plural"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "~"
      },
      "expansion": "defence (countable and uncountable, plural defences)",
      "name": "en-noun"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "noun",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English heteronyms",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury."
      ],
      "id": "en-defence-en-noun-ZB5A1Cy4",
      "links": [
        [
          "defend",
          "defend"
        ],
        [
          "protect",
          "protect"
        ],
        [
          "attack",
          "attack"
        ],
        [
          "danger",
          "danger"
        ],
        [
          "injury",
          "injury"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Something used to oppose attacks."
      ],
      "id": "en-defence-en-noun-bWZFRAeG",
      "links": [
        [
          "use",
          "use"
        ],
        [
          "oppose",
          "oppose"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "2016 June 11, Phil McNulty, “England 1-1 Russia”, in BBC Sport",
          "text": "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.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "An argument in support or justification of something."
      ],
      "id": "en-defence-en-noun-BXk1wfXS",
      "links": [
        [
          "argument",
          "argument"
        ],
        [
          "support",
          "support"
        ],
        [
          "justification",
          "justification"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "kind": "topical",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Sports",
          "orig": "en:Sports",
          "parents": [
            "Human activity",
            "Human behaviour",
            "Human",
            "All topics",
            "Fundamental"
          ],
          "source": "w"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English heteronyms",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence."
      ],
      "id": "en-defence-en-noun-cKkXWcTd",
      "links": [
        [
          "sports",
          "sports"
        ],
        [
          "strategy",
          "strategy"
        ],
        [
          "tactics",
          "tactics"
        ],
        [
          "scoring",
          "score"
        ],
        [
          "offence",
          "offence"
        ]
      ],
      "qualifier": "team sports",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(team sports) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "kind": "topical",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Sports",
          "orig": "en:Sports",
          "parents": [
            "Human activity",
            "Human behaviour",
            "Human",
            "All topics",
            "Fundamental"
          ],
          "source": "w"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English heteronyms",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence."
      ],
      "id": "en-defence-en-noun-qYAZtYkr",
      "links": [
        [
          "sports",
          "sports"
        ],
        [
          "team",
          "team"
        ],
        [
          "offence",
          "offence"
        ]
      ],
      "qualifier": "team sports",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(team sports) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "Department of Defence",
          "type": "example"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military."
      ],
      "id": "en-defence-en-noun-Tr7QurEN",
      "links": [
        [
          "military",
          "military"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English heteronyms",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "1673, William Temple, “An Essay upon the Advancement of Trade in Ireland” in Miscellanea, London: Edw[ard] Gellibrand, 1680, p. 116,\n[…] severe defences may be made against weaving any Linnen under a certain breadth, such as may be of better use to the poorest People […]"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance."
      ],
      "id": "en-defence-en-noun-dtiixHu2",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(obsolete) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "obsolete",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/dɪˈfɛns/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɛns"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-defence.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/c/ce/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav.mp3",
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      "tags": [
        "Southern-England"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (Southern England)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "tags": [
        "US"
      ],
      "word": "defense"
    }
  ],
  "word": "defence"
}

{
  "etymology_templates": [
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      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English defens",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "enm",
        "2": "defense"
      },
      "expansion": "defense",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French defens",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "fro",
        "2": "defense"
      },
      "expansion": "defense",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "dēfensa",
        "t": "protection"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin dēfensa (“protection”)",
      "name": "der"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Latin dēfensa (“protection”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "defences",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "defencing",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "defenced",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "defenced",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "defence (third-person singular simple present defences, present participle defencing, simple past and past participle defenced)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "20 4 1 13 13 6 21 21",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 3 0 19 18 6 24 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "14 5 1 20 20 4 22 15",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English heteronyms",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1656, John Hales, Dixi Custodiam",
          "text": "Better manned and more strongly defenced.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To furnish with defences; to fortify."
      ],
      "id": "en-defence-en-verb-1iqqYKZA",
      "links": [
        [
          "furnish",
          "furnish"
        ],
        [
          "fortify",
          "fortify"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(obsolete, transitive) To furnish with defences; to fortify."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "obsolete",
        "transitive"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/dɪˈfɛns/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɛns"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-defence.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/c/ce/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/c/ce/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Southern-England"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (Southern England)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "tags": [
        "US"
      ],
      "word": "defense"
    }
  ],
  "word": "defence"
}
{
  "antonyms": [
    {
      "tags": [
        "Commonwealth"
      ],
      "word": "offence"
    },
    {
      "tags": [
        "US"
      ],
      "word": "offense"
    }
  ],
  "categories": [
    "British English forms",
    "English 2-syllable words",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
    "English heteronyms",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English terms derived from Latin",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old French",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with audio links",
    "English uncountable nouns",
    "English verbs",
    "Rhymes:English/ɛns",
    "Rhymes:English/ɛns/2 syllables"
  ],
  "derived": [
    {
      "word": "antidefence"
    },
    {
      "word": "antidefense"
    },
    {
      "word": "attack is the best form of defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "civil defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "defence accord"
    },
    {
      "word": "defence diplomacy"
    },
    {
      "word": "defence in depth"
    },
    {
      "word": "defence lawyer"
    },
    {
      "word": "defenceless"
    },
    {
      "word": "defenseless"
    },
    {
      "word": "defence mechanism"
    },
    {
      "word": "defense mechanism"
    },
    {
      "word": "defensive"
    },
    {
      "word": "defensiveness"
    },
    {
      "word": "eco-defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "ecodefence"
    },
    {
      "word": "ecodefense"
    },
    {
      "word": "goal defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "home defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "millionaire's defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "Nuremberg defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "Nuremberg defense"
    },
    {
      "word": "Pac-Man defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "personal defence weapon"
    },
    {
      "word": "point defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "Portsmouth defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "preemptive self-defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "rush defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "self-defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "space defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "spring to somebody's defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "the best defence is attack"
    },
    {
      "word": "tower defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "Twinkie defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "wing defence"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English defens",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "enm",
        "2": "defense"
      },
      "expansion": "defense",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French defens",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "fro",
        "2": "defense"
      },
      "expansion": "defense",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "dēfensa",
        "t": "protection"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin dēfensa (“protection”)",
      "name": "der"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Latin dēfensa (“protection”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "defences",
      "tags": [
        "plural"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "~"
      },
      "expansion": "defence (countable and uncountable, plural defences)",
      "name": "en-noun"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "noun",
  "senses": [
    {
      "glosses": [
        "The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "defend",
          "defend"
        ],
        [
          "protect",
          "protect"
        ],
        [
          "attack",
          "attack"
        ],
        [
          "danger",
          "danger"
        ],
        [
          "injury",
          "injury"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Something used to oppose attacks."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "use",
          "use"
        ],
        [
          "oppose",
          "oppose"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "2016 June 11, Phil McNulty, “England 1-1 Russia”, in BBC Sport",
          "text": "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.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "An argument in support or justification of something."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "argument",
          "argument"
        ],
        [
          "support",
          "support"
        ],
        [
          "justification",
          "justification"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "en:Sports"
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "sports",
          "sports"
        ],
        [
          "strategy",
          "strategy"
        ],
        [
          "tactics",
          "tactics"
        ],
        [
          "scoring",
          "score"
        ],
        [
          "offence",
          "offence"
        ]
      ],
      "qualifier": "team sports",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(team sports) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "en:Sports"
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "sports",
          "sports"
        ],
        [
          "team",
          "team"
        ],
        [
          "offence",
          "offence"
        ]
      ],
      "qualifier": "team sports",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(team sports) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with usage examples"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "Department of Defence",
          "type": "example"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "military",
          "military"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with obsolete senses"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "1673, William Temple, “An Essay upon the Advancement of Trade in Ireland” in Miscellanea, London: Edw[ard] Gellibrand, 1680, p. 116,\n[…] severe defences may be made against weaving any Linnen under a certain breadth, such as may be of better use to the poorest People […]"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance."
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(obsolete) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "obsolete",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/dɪˈfɛns/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɛns"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-defence.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/c/ce/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/c/ce/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Southern-England"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (Southern England)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "tags": [
        "US"
      ],
      "word": "defense"
    }
  ],
  "word": "defence"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "British English forms",
    "English 2-syllable words",
    "English countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
    "English heteronyms",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English terms derived from Latin",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old French",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English terms with IPA pronunciation",
    "English terms with audio links",
    "English uncountable nouns",
    "English verbs",
    "Rhymes:English/ɛns",
    "Rhymes:English/ɛns/2 syllables"
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English defens",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "enm",
        "2": "defense"
      },
      "expansion": "defense",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French defens",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "fro",
        "2": "defense"
      },
      "expansion": "defense",
      "name": "m"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "dēfensa",
        "t": "protection"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin dēfensa (“protection”)",
      "name": "der"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Latin dēfensa (“protection”).",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "defences",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "defencing",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "defenced",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "defenced",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "defence (third-person singular simple present defences, present participle defencing, simple past and past participle defenced)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with obsolete senses",
        "English terms with quotations",
        "English transitive verbs",
        "Quotation templates to be cleaned"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1656, John Hales, Dixi Custodiam",
          "text": "Better manned and more strongly defenced.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To furnish with defences; to fortify."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "furnish",
          "furnish"
        ],
        [
          "fortify",
          "fortify"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(obsolete, transitive) To furnish with defences; to fortify."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "obsolete",
        "transitive"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/dɪˈfɛns/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɛns"
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-defence.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/c/ce/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/c/ce/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-defence.wav.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Southern-England"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (Southern England)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "tags": [
        "US"
      ],
      "word": "defense"
    }
  ],
  "word": "defence"
}

This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable All languages combined dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-05-03 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-05-02 using wiktextract (f4fd8c9 and c9440ce). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.

If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.