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defense
[ dih-fens or, especially for 7, 9, dee-fens ]
/ dÉŖĖfÉns or, especially for 7, 9, Ėdi fÉns /
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noun
verb (used with object), deĀ·fensed, deĀ·fensĀ·ing.
Sports. to defend against (an opponent, play, or tactic).
OTHER WORDS FOR defense
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asā¦
Also British, defence .
Origin of defense
First recorded in 1250ā1300; Middle English from Old French from Late Latin dÄfÄnsa āa forbidding,ā noun use of feminine of past participle of Latin dÄfendere āto defend ā; replacing Middle English defens, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Medieval Latin defÄnsum ā(thing) forbidden,ā neuter past participle of Latin dÄfendere
OTHER WORDS FROM defense
Words nearby defense
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023