defense — the action of defending from or resisting attack
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the action of defending from or resisting attack
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈfens/
Example Sentences
- My defense against Monday blues? Three cups of coffee and a donut!
- The country invested heavily in defense technology.
- His defense of eating ice cream for breakfast was surprisingly convincing.
defense
NOUN[/dɪˈfens/]
the action of defending from or resisting attack
His defense crumbled the moment anyone questioned his decision.
The country strengthened its border defense systems after rising tensions.
His defense crumbled under criticism — he became overly sensitive and emotionally reactive.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin 'defendere', formed from 'de-' (down, away) and 'fendere' (to strike, to ward off). Originally meaning 'to ward off blows' or 'to protect against attack', it evolved to denote the act of resisting or protecting oneself from harm.
Breakdown
de- (down, away) + fendere (to strike, to ward off). The prefix 'de-' suggests direction away from something, while 'fendere' means to thrust or beat, together creating the sense of striking back or warding away threats.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My defense against Monday blues? Three cups of coffee and a donut!”
“The country invested heavily in defense technology.”
“His defense of eating ice cream for breakfast was surprisingly convincing.”
“The team's defense improved significantly after the new coach arrived.”
📚Related Words
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