n. & v. t. - See Defense.
n. - The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.
n. - That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection.
n. - Protecting plea; vindication; justification.
n. - 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.
n. - Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc.
n. - Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.