"defence" meaning in English

See defence in All languages combined, or Wiktionary

Noun

IPA: /dɪˈfɛns/ [Received-Pronunciation] Audio: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-defence.wav Forms: defences [plural]
Rhymes: -ɛns Etymology: From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced Old English bewering. Etymology templates: {{inh|en|enm|defens}} Middle English defens, {{der|en|fro|defens}} Old French defens, {{der|en|la-lat|dēfēnsa|t=protection}} Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”), {{glossary|Displaced}} Displaced, {{ncog|ang|bewering||g=|g2=|g3=|id=|lit=|pos=|sc=|t=|tr=|ts=}} Old English bewering, {{displaced|ang|bewering}} Displaced Old English bewering 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 heteronyms, Pages with 1 entry, Pages with entries Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16 Disambiguation of Pages with 1 entry: 19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20 Disambiguation of Pages with entries: 20 3 1 15 15 2 24 21
  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 heteronyms, Pages with 1 entry, Pages with entries Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16 Disambiguation of Pages with 1 entry: 19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20 Disambiguation of Pages with entries: 20 3 1 15 15 2 24 21
  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 heteronyms, Pages with 1 entry, Pages with entries Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16 Disambiguation of Pages with 1 entry: 19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20 Disambiguation of Pages with entries: 20 3 1 15 15 2 24 21
  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 heteronyms, Pages with 1 entry, Pages with entries Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16 Disambiguation of Pages with 1 entry: 19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20 Disambiguation of Pages with entries: 20 3 1 15 15 2 24 21
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: defense [US]

Verb

IPA: /dɪˈfɛns/ [Received-Pronunciation] Audio: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-defence.wav Forms: defences [present, singular, third-person], defencing [participle, present], defenced [participle, past], defenced [past]
Rhymes: -ɛns Etymology: From Middle English defencen, defensen, from Old French defenser or its etymon, Latin dēfēnsō. Etymology templates: {{inh|en|enm|defencen}} Middle English defencen, {{der|en|fro|defenser}} Old French defenser, {{der|en|la|dēfēnsō}} Latin dēfēnsō, {{!}} | 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 heteronyms, Pages with 1 entry, Pages with entries Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22 Disambiguation of English heteronyms: 15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16 Disambiguation of Pages with 1 entry: 19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20 Disambiguation of Pages with entries: 20 3 1 15 15 2 24 21
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: defense [US]
Etymology number: 2

Inflected forms

{
  "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": "biodefence"
    },
    {
      "_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": "defenceman"
    },
    {
      "_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": "special 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_number": 1,
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English defens",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French defens",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la-lat",
        "3": "dēfēnsa",
        "t": "protection"
      },
      "expansion": "Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "Displaced"
      },
      "expansion": "Displaced",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "bewering",
        "3": "",
        "g": "",
        "g2": "",
        "g3": "",
        "id": "",
        "lit": "",
        "pos": "",
        "sc": "",
        "t": "",
        "tr": "",
        "ts": ""
      },
      "expansion": "Old English bewering",
      "name": "ncog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "bewering"
      },
      "expansion": "Displaced Old English bewering",
      "name": "displaced"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced Old English bewering.",
  "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": "21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English heteronyms",
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        {
          "_dis": "19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20",
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          "_dis": "20 3 1 15 15 2 24 21",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Pages with entries",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]:",
          "text": "In cases of defence ’tis best to weigh\nThe enemy more mighty than he seems:",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "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"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 12”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:",
          "text": "And nothing ’gainst Time’s scythe can make defence\nSave breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Something used to oppose attacks."
      ],
      "id": "en-defence-en-noun-bWZFRAeG",
      "links": [
        [
          "use",
          "use"
        ],
        [
          "oppose",
          "oppose"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 89”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:",
          "text": "Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,\nAgainst thy reasons making no defence.",
          "type": "quote"
        },
        {
          "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": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "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": "21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
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          "_dis": "15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English heteronyms",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Pages with 1 entry",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "20 3 1 15 15 2 24 21",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Pages with entries",
          "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"
        },
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          "_dis": "21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English heteronyms",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20",
          "kind": "other",
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          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "20 3 1 15 15 2 24 21",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Pages with entries",
          "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": "21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English heteronyms",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Pages with 1 entry",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "20 3 1 15 15 2 24 21",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Pages with entries",
          "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"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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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    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɛns"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0",
      "tags": [
        "US"
      ],
      "word": "defense"
    }
  ],
  "word": "defence"
}

{
  "etymology_number": 2,
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "defencen"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English defencen",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "defenser"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French defenser",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "dēfēnsō"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin dēfēnsō",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "|",
      "name": "!"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English defencen, defensen, from Old French defenser or its etymon, Latin dēfēnsō.",
  "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": "21 4 1 14 14 4 20 22",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "15 4 1 19 19 3 21 16",
          "kind": "other",
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        {
          "_dis": "19 4 1 14 14 4 24 20",
          "kind": "other",
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        {
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          "kind": "other",
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          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1656, John Hales, Dixi Custodiam:",
          "text": "Better manned and more strongly defenced.",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "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"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɛns"
    }
  ],
  "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 countable nouns",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English heteronyms",
    "English lemmas",
    "English nouns",
    "English terms derived from Late Latin",
    "English terms derived from Latin",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old French",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English uncountable nouns",
    "English verbs",
    "Pages with 1 entry",
    "Pages with entries",
    "Rhymes:English/ɛns",
    "Rhymes:English/ɛns/2 syllables"
  ],
  "derived": [
    {
      "word": "antidefence"
    },
    {
      "word": "antidefense"
    },
    {
      "word": "attack is the best form of defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "biodefence"
    },
    {
      "word": "civil defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "defence accord"
    },
    {
      "word": "defence diplomacy"
    },
    {
      "word": "defence in depth"
    },
    {
      "word": "defence lawyer"
    },
    {
      "word": "defenceless"
    },
    {
      "word": "defenseless"
    },
    {
      "word": "defenceman"
    },
    {
      "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": "special defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "spring to somebody's defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "the best defence is attack"
    },
    {
      "word": "tower defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "Twinkie defence"
    },
    {
      "word": "wing defence"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_number": 1,
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English defens",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "defens"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French defens",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la-lat",
        "3": "dēfēnsa",
        "t": "protection"
      },
      "expansion": "Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”)",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "Displaced"
      },
      "expansion": "Displaced",
      "name": "glossary"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "bewering",
        "3": "",
        "g": "",
        "g2": "",
        "g3": "",
        "id": "",
        "lit": "",
        "pos": "",
        "sc": "",
        "t": "",
        "tr": "",
        "ts": ""
      },
      "expansion": "Old English bewering",
      "name": "ncog"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "ang",
        "2": "bewering"
      },
      "expansion": "Displaced Old English bewering",
      "name": "displaced"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced Old English bewering.",
  "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": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv]:",
          "text": "In cases of defence ’tis best to weigh\nThe enemy more mighty than he seems:",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "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"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 12”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:",
          "text": "And nothing ’gainst Time’s scythe can make defence\nSave breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Something used to oppose attacks."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "use",
          "use"
        ],
        [
          "oppose",
          "oppose"
        ]
      ],
      "tags": [
        "UK",
        "countable",
        "uncountable"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "ref": "1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 89”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:",
          "text": "Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,\nAgainst thy reasons making no defence.",
          "type": "quote"
        },
        {
          "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": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "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"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɛns"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "tags": [
        "US"
      ],
      "word": "defense"
    }
  ],
  "word": "defence"
}

{
  "categories": [
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English heteronyms",
    "English lemmas",
    "English terms derived from Latin",
    "English terms derived from Middle English",
    "English terms derived from Old French",
    "English terms inherited from Middle English",
    "English verbs",
    "Pages with 1 entry",
    "Pages with entries",
    "Rhymes:English/ɛns",
    "Rhymes:English/ɛns/2 syllables"
  ],
  "etymology_number": 2,
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "enm",
        "3": "defencen"
      },
      "expansion": "Middle English defencen",
      "name": "inh"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "fro",
        "3": "defenser"
      },
      "expansion": "Old French defenser",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "la",
        "3": "dēfēnsō"
      },
      "expansion": "Latin dēfēnsō",
      "name": "der"
    },
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "|",
      "name": "!"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From Middle English defencen, defensen, from Old French defenser or its etymon, Latin dēfēnsō.",
  "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": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "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"
      ]
    },
    {
      "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"
    },
    {
      "rhymes": "-ɛns"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "tags": [
        "US"
      ],
      "word": "defense"
    }
  ],
  "word": "defence"
}

Download raw JSONL data for defence meaning in English (9.5kB)


This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable English dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-12-21 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-12-04 using wiktextract (d8cb2f3 and 4e554ae). 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.