n. | 1. | The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger. |
2. | That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection. | |
3. | Protecting plea; vindication; justification. | |
4. | (Law) The defendant's answer or plea; an opposing or denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff's or prosecutor's case; the method of proceeding adopted by the defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff's action. | |
5. | Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc. | |
6. | Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance. | |
v. t. | 1. | To furnish with defenses; to fortify. |