- an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive')
- intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack; "defensive weapons"; "a defensive stance"
- attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing
- (defense) (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies; "they died in the defense of Stalingrad"; "they were developed for the defense program"
- (defense) protection from harm; "sanitation is the best defense against disease"
- (defense) (sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring; "his teams are always good on defense"
- (Defensiveness) In Freudian psychoanalytic theory, defence mechanisms or defense mechanisms (see -ce/-se) are unconscious psychological strategies brought into play by various entities to cope with reality and to maintain self-image. ...
- (Defense (American football)) American football, known in the United States as football, is a sport played between two teams of eleven. The objective of the game is to score points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. ...
- (Defense (legal)) In civil proceedings and criminal prosecutions under the common law, a defendant may raise a defense (or defence) in an attempt to avoid criminal or civil liability. ...
- (Defense (poker)) In poker, certain aggression plays like steals can be very effective; players must occasionally reply to them with defensive plays with hands they might not otherwise play. ...
- (Defense (policy debate)) In policy debate, defense refers to argument which has no implication other than mitigating an argument made by the opposing team.
- (The Defense) The Defense, is a Russian novel written by Vladimir Nabokov during his emigration in Berlin and published in 1930.
- A means, attitude or position of defense; Intended for defence; protective; Intended to deter attack; Performed so as to minimise risk; Displaying an inordinate sensitivity to criticism; compare paranoid; Of a bowling or fielding tactic designed to prevent the other side from scoring runs. ...
- (defense) The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury; Anything employed to oppose attack(s). (team sports) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense. ...
- (defensively) To be defensive is to be on guard against attack, be it verbal or physical. George is on guard against an attack about his relationship with Lennie.
- (Defensiveness (emotional)) That strange, angry, and unwarranted boundary exhibited by someone healthier than me when I unexpectedly stick a dagger into his psychic guts.
- Defensiveness occurs when both partners blame each other and fail to take ownership of the problem.
- (defense) Playing to minimize investment or loss rather than maximize a win; for example, with a drawing hand that is risky but that you think should call an opponent's bet, you might make a smaller "defensive bet" yourself that you think your opponent will just call, rather than checking and ...
- (defense) In a civil case, the facts or arguments presented by the defendant to show why the plaintiff doesn’t have a right to the relief asked for. In a criminal case, the reasons why a defendant should not be convicted of the charge(s).
- (Defense) What you’d better have around “de yard” if you’re going to let “de children” play outside!
- (Defense) Declarer's opponents.
- (Defense) The team currently in the field.
- (Defense) When you team does NOT have the ball.
- (Defense) The team without the ball; also the act of trying to stop the opponent from scoring.
- (Defense) The defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s complaint. A defense may contest the truth of the plaintiff’s allegations, or claim a legal privilege to commit the act complained of.