character defense

American  

noun

1. a personality trait, as a habitual tendency to idealize or rationalize, that serves some unconscious defensive purpose.

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Example Sentences

On the Democratic side, the Democratic National Committee is planning to staff its 30-person response team well before the hearing gets underway, pushing out “what to watch for” lists to reporters and beginning a public character defense of William B. Taylor Jr., the top American diplomat in Ukraine and the first witness scheduled to testify on Wednesday.

From New York Times

What followed amounted to an impassioned 16-minute character defense.

From New York Times

On June 4, Patterson’s attorney, Shelby Sharpe, released what he called a “character defense” that he said he compiled without any input from Patterson, just “as a person, not as his lawyer.”

From Washington Post

This is hardly an inspiring character defense.

From Slate

Stung by a string of embarrassing revelations about misconduct in the ranks, the Pentagon will soon appoint a senior officer to promote and enforce a culture of ethical behavior and good moral character, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Friday.

From Washington Post