defencede‧fence British English, defense American English /dɪˈfens/ ●●● S2 W1 noun 
In Britain, the defence of the country has historically been left to the navy. a firm commitment to the defense of human rights The first line of defence is a smoke detector. b)[countable] something that can be used to protect something or someone from attack: The area’s flood defences need repair.defence against The immune system is the body’s defence against infection. → self-defence2military a)[uncountable] all the systems, people, materials etc that a country uses to protect itself from attack: calls for a national debate on defence the Defense Department b)defences British English, defenses American English [plural] all the armies, weapons, structures etc that are available to defend a place: The invading army easily overcame the town’s defences.3against criticism [countable, uncountable] something that you say or do in order to support someone or something that is being criticizedin somebody’s/something’s defence Jean wrote a letter to the paper in Angela’s defense.defence of a philosophical defence of nationalismcome/leap to somebody’s defence Evelyn Waugh came to Wilson’s defence and acknowledged the brilliance of the book’s themes.4in a law court a)[countable] the things that are said in a court of law to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime: Major has a good defence and believes he will win the case. a defence lawyer b)the defence all the lawyers who try to prove in a court of law that someone is not guilty of a crime: The defense called only one witness. → prosecution(2)5emotions [countable] something you do or a way of behaving that prevents you from seeming weak or being hurt by others: Liz dropped her defences and began to relax.6sport [countable] the players on a sports team whose main job is to try to prevent the other team from getting pointsCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2defence + NOUNa defence force (=group of soldiers, pilots etc trained to defend a country)· The country's defence forces are on standby in case of an attack.a defence system (=a system of people, organizations etc to defend a country)· Is the national defence system adequate?a defence policy· Ministers in Brussels have been discussing a possible European defence policy.defence spending/expenditure· There were plans to cut defence spending by one billion pounds.the defence budget (=amount of money a government makes available for defence)· They have called for the defence budget to be increased.the Defence Department (=part of the government dealing with defence)· This is secret information, known only to the Defence Department.the Defence Secretary (=person in a government in charge of defence)· The Defence Secretary is under pressure to resign.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Defence spending has risen by 10% in the current budget.
- The defence industry relies heavily on sales of weapons to foreign countries.
- The article was a rather unconvincing defence of her economic record.
- A quick break by Swansea after 17 minutes again exposed the Chester defence.
- Before this defence has any role to play it must be shown that the defendant has committed a tort.
- Browning's defence lawyer says this and other evidence could have been crucial if heard by the trial jury.
- Even if it is feasible, there is no guarantee that this would provide a defence to an infringement action.
- He thought your freelance Mrs Howard represented the same thing that he thinks he represents himself: the defence of this country.
- Middlesbrough were growing in confidence all the time, winning the midfield battle and occasionally opening the Ipswich defence.
- National Research Laboratories are large, publicly owned defence research and development establishments.
- Nowhere in one leading textbook is it treated of as a defence.
Longman Language Activatorthe people in the legal process
the person in charge of a court, who knows a lot about the law and makes the official decision about what the punishment for a crime should be: · Everyone stood up as the judge entered the courtroom.· Judge Butler gave the defendant a six-month jail sentence.· The judge advised the governor that the law violated the First Amendment rights of teachers.
a group of ordinary people, who listen to the people speaking at a trial, and then decide whether or not someone is guilty of a crime: · The jury was made up of seven women and five men.· Have you ever been on a jury?· The jury awarded Hayes $3.5 million in damages.jury duty/service (=a period of time during which you must be ready to be part of a jury if necessary): · I have been called for jury duty twice.hung jury (=a jury that cannot make a decision about whether someone is guilty or not): · Broderick's first trial last year ended in a hung jury.sit on a jury (=be a member of a jury): · Are people with criminal records allowed to sit on a jury?
also attorney especially American someone who is trained in the law and who represents people in court: · You have to study for a long time to become a lawyer.· He refused to answer any questions until his lawyer came.defence lawyer British: defense laywer American (=a lawyer who tries to prove that a person is not guilty of a crime): · Defense lawyer Charles Grieshammer said he was not surprised by the verdict.
the person in a trial who is being judged guilty or not guilty of a crime: · The defendant pleaded not guilty.· According to the defendant, the heroin was destined for the New York City area.
someone who is trying to prove that they are not guilty of a crime that they are on trial for: · The accused is being held in the Pelham County Jail on charges of assault and battery.· According to the sixth amendment, the accused has the right to a fair and public trial.
British /the defense American the lawyers in a court who try to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime: · The defence plans to call only one witness to testify.· Today, the defence makes its final presentation to the jury.· Peres said the defense team would appeal the sentencing by Judge Bernardo Tirado.
the lawyers in a court who try to prove that someone is guilty of a crime: · The prosecution's first witness is expected to be one of the defendant's co-workers.· Speaking for the prosecution, Lipscomb said that both men should go to prison for the rest of their lives.
someone who tells what they know about a crime in court: · Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.· The witness was asked to identify the defendant in the courtroom.call somebody as a witness: · The congressman was called as a witness for the prosecution today.
to defend an idea or person when they are criticized to say something to support an idea or person when other people are criticizing them: · It's difficult to defend a sport that involves hurting animals.· Her speech defended the workers' right to strike.· The Fire Chief defended his staff and said that they had done everything possible to save the girl's life.defend somebody against/from something: · She has repeatedly tried to defend her husband against hostile criticism in the press.defend yourself: · Everyone was shouting at me, and I never got a chance to defend myself.vigorously defend somebody/something (=defend them very strongly): · Carey vigorously defended his fund-raising methods.
to strongly defend someone who is being criticized, or strongly defend your ideas or your rights: · You have to be ready to stand up for the things you believe in.· Didn't anyone stand up for James and say it wasn't his fault?stand up for yourself: · Don't let her get away with that - stand up for yourself.
spoken to strongly defend someone who is being criticized, especially when no one else will defend them: · The only person who stuck up for me was Sarah.· You're her husband - you should stick up for her.
British /defense American to say something to defend someone who is being criticized: · Dad seemed to think the accident was my fault, but Judy came to my defence and told him what had happened.· A large group of supporters have come to Robinson's defense.· Surprisingly, Major came to the defence of his old enemy.
British /defense American if you say something in someone's defence , you say it in order to defend them from criticism: · As far as I'm concerned, there is nothing you can say in her defence.· I ought to say, in Jim's defence, that he only heard about the meeting half an hour ago.in defence/defense of somebody: · No one spoke up in defense of Principal Blackman during the entire meeting.
British /defense of something American if you do or say something in defence of something, you do or say it to defend something that is very important to you, such as your rights or principles: · The miners went on strike in defence of their jobs.· She spoke bravely and defiantly in defence of human rights.
British /defense American a written or spoken statement that defends something against criticism, especially something that is very important to you: defence of: · The article was a rather unconvincing defence of her economic record.strong/robust/spirited/vigorous defence (=strong defence): · Pacheco gave a vigorous defense of the state's affirmative action laws.
used for defence against attack British /defense American all the weapons, soldiers, systems, or activities that a country uses to defend itself against attack by an enemy: · Defense is expected to be a big issue during the next election.defence/defense spending (=money spent on defence): · Defence spending has risen by 10% in the current budget.defence/defense system: · The military is continuing to work on its missile defense system.the defence/defense industry (=all the companies that make weapons): · The defence industry relies heavily on sales of weapons to foreign countries.
British /self-defense American methods used by countries or people to stop themselves from being attacked or harmed: · All nations have the right to self-defence.· self-defence classesin self-defence/defense (=in order to protect yourself): · She claims she shot him in self-defence.
British /defenses American all the soldiers and equipment that are available for defending a country or place: · The new radar system is an important part of the country's defences.· The country has responded to threats of invasion by strengthening its defenses.
used only for protecting your country or group, not for attacking someone else: · Police officers claimed that their actions during the riots were purely defensive.defensive weapons/position/measures: · According to the report, only defensive weapons had been supplied to Iran.
to defend a person, place, or country from attack to use physical or military force to protect a person or place that is being attacked: · Hundreds of soldiers died while defending the town.· US troops in Panama will only be used to defend the Canal.defend something against/from somebody: · The castle was built in 1549 to defend the island against invaders.defend yourself: · Carson claims he was defending himself when he struck the other man.
to prevent someone who is attacking you from coming any closer: hold off somebody/something: · The bunkers were built on the cliffs to hold off the enemy's landing forces.hold somebody/something off: · At that point our troops were too weak to hold them off.
British /defense American to defend another person or country that is being attacked: · Things seemed to be going badly until NATO forces came to their defence.come to the defence/defense of somebody: · Rhonda came to the defense of her brother by swinging a chain at his attacker.
British /defense of something American if you do something in defence of a place, especially your country, you do it in order to defend that place: · Would you be prepared to fight in defence of your country?· These brave young men have given their lives in defence of freedom.
WORD SETSace, nounace, verbacrobat, nounacrobatic, adjectiveacrobatics, nounaction replay, nounaerobic, adjectiveaim, nounaim, verball-American, adjectiveall-seater, adjectivearena, nounAstroTurf, nounattack, verbaway, adverbaway, adjectiveback, nounbackhand, nounbackhanded, adjectivebackhander, nounbackspin, nounball, nounball game, nounbaseline, nounbat, nounbench, verbbleachers, nounblock, nounbobble, verbbout, nounbowl, nounbowl, verbbowling alley, nounbowling ball, nounbowling green, nounbox, nounbox, verbboxer, nounbronze, nounbronze medal, nounbye, nouncall, verbcall, nouncap, verbcaptain, nouncaptain, verbcaptaincy, nounchange, verbchanging room, nouncheer, nouncheerleader, nouncheerleading, nounchip, nounchip, verbcircuit training, nounclose season, nounclubhouse, nouncoach, nounconference, nouncontender, nouncourse, nouncourse, verbcourt, nouncover, verbcross, verbcross, nouncross-country, adjectivecrown, nouncup, nouncup final, nouncup tie, nouncurve, noundead, adjectivedecider, noundefence, noundefend, verbdefender, noundefensive, adjectivederby, noundisallow, verbdisqualify, verbdivision, noundivot, noundown, adverbdraft, noundraw, verbdraw, noundribble, verbdribble, noundrive, noundrop, verbdrop goal, noundropkick, noundrop shot, noundrubbing, noundugout, nouneleven, numberequalize, verbequalizer, nouneven, adjectiveevent, nounface, nounfast, adjectivefavourite, nounfeint, nounfield, verbfielder, nounfieldsman, nounfield sports, nounfight, verbfight, nounfighter, nounfinalist, nounfirst half, nounfirst-string, adjectivefixture, nounflat, adjectiveflip, nounfollow-through, nounfootball, nounfootwork, nounform, nounfoul, nounfoul line, nounfriendly, adjectivefull-court press, nounfull time, nounfumble, verbgala, noungame, noungame point, noungate, noungoal, noungoalie, noungoalkeeper, noungoalless, adjectivegoal line, noungoalmouth, noungoalpost, noungoaltender, noungold, noungold medal, noungrand slam, noungrandstand, nounground staff, noungym shoe, noungymslip, nounhalf, nounhalfback, nounhalf nelson, nounhalf-time, nounhammer, nounhandball, nounhand-eye co-ordination, nounhandicap, nounhandspring, nounhandstand, nounhat trick, nounhead start, nounheat, nounheavy, adjectivehiding, nounhome, adjectivein, adverbinfield, nouninjury time, nouninterference, nouninternational, nounjersey, nounjock, nounjockstrap, nounjogging suit, nounjump, nounjump ball, nounjumper, nounjumping jack, nounjump shot, nounjunior varsity, nounlane, nounleague table, nounletter, nounletter, verblevel, verblineman, nounlinesman, nounline-up, nounlocker, nounlocker room, nounluge, nounmallet, nounmanager, nounmark, verbmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmatch, nounmedal, nounmedallist, nounmeeting, nounMexican wave, nounmidfield, nounmisfield, verbmixed doubles, nounmotocross, nounmotor racing, nounmuff, verbmusclebound, adjectivemuscleman, nounnet, nounnet, verbnetball, nounnil, nounno ball, nounoarsman, nounoarswoman, nounobstruction, nounoffense, nounoffensive, adjectiveoffside, adjectiveOlympiad, nounOlympic, adjectiveOlympic Games, the, onside, adjectiveopener, nounopponent, nounout, adverbout, nounoutdistance, verboutsider, nounoverarm, adjectiveoverhand, adjectiveown goal, nounpacesetter, nounpass, verbpass, nounPE, nounpenalty, nounpep rally, nounperiod, nounphoto finish, nounphysical education, nounpitch, nounplace kick, nounplayable, adjectiveplay-by-play, nounplayer, nounplaying field, nounplay-off, nounpoint, nounpole, verbposition, nounpossession, nounpost, nounpreliminary, nounpro-am, nounprofessionalism, nounpromote, verbpromotion, nounPT, nounpull, verbpull-up, nounpummel, verbpunchbag, nounqualifier, nounqualify, verbquarter-final, nounrace, verbracetrack, nounracing, adjectiveracket, nounrain check, nounrally, nounrecord, nounrecord-holder, nounrecreation ground, nounref, nounreferee, nounreferee, verbregatta, nounrelay, nounrelay race, nounrelegate, verbreplay, verbreplay, nounrerun, verbreserve, nounretire, verbreturn, verbrevenge, nounringside, nounroll, nounrookie, nounround, nounround robin, nounrunner, nounrunner-up, nounrun-up, nounsave, verbsave, nounscore, nounscore, verbscorer, nounscratch, verbscratch, adjectivescreen, nounscrimmage, nounselector, nounsemi, nounsemi-final, nounsemi-finalist, nounsemi-professional, adjectiveserve, verbserve, nounserver, nounservice, nounset, nounshoot, verbshoot, nounshot, nounsideline, nounsilver, nounsilver medal, nounskate, nounskipper, nounslaughter, verbslice, verbslick, nounslump, nounsnowmobile, nounsnowshoe, nounsomersault, nounsouthpaw, nounspar, verbsparring partner, nounspectate, verbspectator, nounspectator sport, nounspin, nounsports centre, nounsports day, nounsportsmanship, nounsporty, adjectivespot, verbsprint, verbsquad, nounstadium, nounstagger, verbstart, nounstarter, nounstarting blocks, nounstayer, nounstick, nounstraight, nounstrip, nounstroke, nounstud, nounsub, nounsudden death, nounsweatband, nounsweatpants, nounsweat suit, nountackle, verbtackle, nountalent scout, nountarget, nounteam-mate, nounthree-legged race, nounthrow, nounthrust, verbtie, nountiebreaker, nountight, adjectivetime, verbtimekeeper, nountime out, nountitle, nountitle holder, nountopspin, nountoreador, nountour, nountournament, nountrack, nountrain, verbtransfer fee, nountrophy, nountryout, nounumpire, nounumpire, verbunbeatable, adjectiveundecided, adjectiveunderarm, adverbunderhand, adverbunplaced, adjectiveuppercut, nounvarsity, nounvolley, nounvolley, verbwalking, nounwarm-up, nounwet suit, nounwhippet, nounwhistle, verbwhistle, nounwin, nounwing, nounwinger, nounworkout, nounwristband, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 2defence + NOUN When a person is ill, the body’s natural defence mechanisms come into operation. a meeting of EU foreign ministers He put up a stout defence in court.
(=group of soldiers, pilots etc trained to defend a country)· The country's defence forces are on standby in case of an attack.
(=a system of people, organizations etc to defend a country)· Is the national defence system adequate?
· Ministers in Brussels have been discussing a possible European defence policy.
· There were plans to cut defence spending by one billion pounds.
(=amount of money a government makes available for defence)· They have called for the defence budget to be increased.
(=part of the government dealing with defence)· This is secret information, known only to the Defence Department.
(=person in a government in charge of defence)· The Defence Secretary is under pressure to resign.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· We had to make cuts in the defence budget.
· Further proposals for defence cuts were drawn up.
· The committee has many political figures who are close to the military establishment.
(=money that a government spends on the armed forces)· Military expenditure has been growing year on year.
· Should the European Union have its own defence force?
(=a lawyer who tries to prove in court that someone is not guilty)· This evidence was given to the defence lawyer.
When a person is ill, the body’s natural defence mechanisms come into operation. a meeting of EU foreign ministers· Our energy policies must put the environment first.
(=spending on defence etc)· Further cuts in defence spending are being considered.
He put up a stout defence in court.· A defence witness said that Carter was not holding a gun when the shot was fired.
· Witnesses for the prosecution have not sounded convincing.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· But the fact remains that the safeguards themselves do not prevent the government using civil plutonium for defence purposes.· The country has made few preparations for civil defence.· These difficulties were greatly exacerbated by poor civil defence planning.
· If the Government ever had any ideas about foreign and defence policy, they have run out of them.· There are no significant new constraints on governments to make joint foreign, defence, immigration or policing policies.· Threats, not pillars, will decide whether the members devise joint foreign or defence policies.· Mr Kostunica's main power is in appointing the foreign and defence ministers and the army chief of staff.· June 1994: Elections to EP. 1996: Intergovernmental conference to review foreign policy and defence.
· The best form of defence is counter-attack.· To pounce on their opponents, moreover, seemed the best defence.· He did, of course benefit from having a very good defence.· So long as he covers every arc of attack by maintaining a good defence, he will be safe.· Crossbowmen and hand gunners are better in defence.· Wire netting is the best defence against rabbits and squirrels, which will chew through plastic netting to plunder fruit crops.· Her best defence may be her demure appearance.· But it is a first step towards better value for defence dollars and D-marks.
· Pressing for a huge tax cut and insisting on his plans for a national missile defence fit this picture.· There is already tension over the controversial national missile defence system.· The key to the whole business was not politics or national defence.· When a civil conflict eventually broke out in 1991, the national defence force was unable to provide a credible response.· The interesting issues in economics arise when, as with national defence, exclusion of certain individuals from consumption is effectively impossible.
· And appearing only for the defence has always seemed too easy an option.· The only defence open to enterprises and manufacturing industry would be a chaotic cut in their demand for these raw materials.· Because her only defence was to turn him against her, she realised with a pang of sorrow.· Until his body recovered from the effects of the psychic blast this was his only means of defence.· The only defence is that the estate agent took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid committing the offence.· He resorted to his only hopeless defence ... and screwed his eyes shut.
NOUN· Only the defence budget will see the benefit of prosperity.· With commitment and amounts of cash that seemed paltry when compared with government defence budgets, that problem could be solved.· Congress still has a big role to play in shaping the missile defence budget.· After yesterday's announcement of huge cuts in the defence budget, things can only get worse.· The majority of voters also favoured cuts in the defence budget and level or increased Spending on domestic education and health programmes.· His plans to slash defence budgets by £6 billion would cost 100,000 more their jobs.· He believed in big defence budgets and plenty of parades.
· His defence counsel contended that a suspended sentence would enable Chemouil to pay compensation to the victim.· Hakkar's defence counsel requested a postponement, which was refused, and was unable to attend the hearing.· They had been tried without benefit of defence counsel before the Public Tribunal, a special court which was subject to Government influence.· Hyde's defence counsel has told Northampton Crown court that provocation would be an issue in the trial.· Coffin wondered what a defence counsel would have made of that lack if the case had ever come to trial.· The defence counsel said that appeals would be made against the verdicts.· The defence counsel said the defendant had admitted losing his temper on finding out that the girl was under age.· After the last prosecution witness had given his statement, Kesselring's defence counsel rose to give his opening address.
· The management say Government defence cuts are to blame.
· Greatly increased taxes and a major shift back to defence expenditure could be the least of our worries.· Male speaker Under Options for Change we could see there was going to be a reduction in defence expenditure.· It is amazing what we hear from Opposition Members, when they intend to cut defence expenditure.· While military spending was constrained by the renunciation of belligerency, this does not mean that defence expenditure is insignificant.· By contrast defence expenditure was cut, chiefly by reducing national service from 14 months to 12.
· Armed forces: No standing defence forces.· Armed forces: defence force disbanded in 1981; approximately 300 police.· An army spokesman said that the security vetting of personnel was a normal procedure in all defence forces.· MacArthur was dedicated to the extirpation of militarism and did not favour the development of defence forces.· But obvious problems will centre on the security situation, and the reconstruction of the defence forces and the economy.· When a civil conflict eventually broke out in 1991, the national defence force was unable to provide a credible response.· After working in the prison service, he joined the defence forces before becoming an intelligence agent.
· The company still plans to sell off Thorn Security and Electronics, which makes security and surveillance equipment for the defence industry.· It has no great defence industries, no strategic significance.· An emerging contemporary example of radical change is in the business which to date has been concerned with the defence industries.· When you're in a defence industry that is inevitable.· The Secretary of State has presided over the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs in the defence industry in recent years.· In a town such as Shrewsbury, a high proportion of manufacturing is linked to the defence industry.· He met management and workers at Swan Hunter's and Vickers, two firms who depend on the defence industry for work.
· Both prosecution and defence lawyers gave eloquent closing speeches.· But a defence lawyer suggested that at the time this was the normal practise in football, and Steve White agreed.· Cross-examination by defence lawyers should also be videotaped at an informal hearing before trial, with the press and public excluded.· Macarthy, the defence lawyer, found himself in the position of trying to defend the indefensible and justify the unjustifiable.· When the session was adjourned, the judiciary and defence lawyers gave conflicting accounts of the outcome.· Gen Jaruzelski's defence lawyers first filed a motion requesting more evidence from prosecutors before charges were laid.· There was an eloquent and impassioned speech from Mr Wash, Woolridge's defence lawyer.· The trial was suspended the same day after the 19 defence lawyers walked out, and then postponed until July 12.
· When it's cold, the body sets its own range of defence mechanisms in motion.· What appears to be contrary can always be assimilated as evidence of repression, or as a defence mechanism.· Inflammation is another internal defence mechanism and is a reaction of living tissue to infection, injury and irritants.· And if our defence mechanism is impaired, what other dangers may we not be open to?· I note this, and harp on her imperfections, as a defence mechanism.· The ideal candidate will have experience of protein purification and gene cloning and should have an appreciation of plant defence mechanisms.· Where did she get this automatic shutdown defence mechanism?· Everyone's got a defence mechanism.
· The strongest force there is run by Ahmed Shah Masoud, the defence minister.· He sent the defence minister, Peter Reith, in his place.· Mr Hikmatyar is trying to wrest control of the capital from the defence minister, Ahmad Shah Masood.· At Mr Ugaz's request, the defence minister has ordered an audit of all military purchases since 1990.· In a weekend of violence, the defence minister, Khaled Nezzar, narrowly escaped from a car bomb attack.· Labour's shadow defence minister Martin O'Neill also visited Newcastle.· His move led to the resignation of his defence minister and many senior generals.
· Pressing for a huge tax cut and insisting on his plans for a national missile defence fit this picture.· The missile defence issue is without question the most troublesome, time-consuming and potentially dangerous item on the current international agenda.· It has dangerously upset the strategic balance by proposing a new national missile defence system.· In particular, the relationship is becoming increasingly bedevilled by the issue of anti-missile defence.· The latest example concerns the controversial missile defence system proposed by the United States.· Congress still has a big role to play in shaping the missile defence budget.· Agreeing on the system, and the budget, for missile defence is going to be a long business.· Bush's speech pushed the political boundaries of the missile defence issue much further than he has done before.
· Bush's defence policy would not work, would cost too much and would destabilise the world, said Gore.· Threats, not pillars, will decide whether the members devise joint foreign or defence policies.· Questions of defence policy are vast, complicated, confidential, and wholly unsuited for ventilation before a jury.· That is why the Opposition's defence policy is incredible.
· Since he resigned as defence secretary over the Westland helicopter affair in 1986, he has campaigned for an active industrial policy.· But Donald Rumsfeld's appointment as defence secretary makes those predictions look naive.· The defence secretary paused, and then said that such questions were decided by the president, not by him.· Powell lost his bid to have his ally Richard Armitage, appointed as deputy defence secretary under Rumsfeld.· One notable exception was John Tower, the choice for defence secretary of former president George Bush.· Mr Bush has been careful to balance practical types like his defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, with policy wonks.
· Relatives of the men say they were wrongly convicted, as they had acted in self defence.· They claimed that when they were surrounded by the gang they acted in self defence.· Relatives of Poole and Mills say the two men were acting in self defence.· She said it was self defence.· Or are you innocent because you acted in self defence?· The jury cleared him, deciding that Mr Waller had acted in self defence.· As it rears up in self defence, it spreads its wide hood to reveal a massive pair of eye-spots.· They claim they were acting in self defence.
· Defence Minister Moshe Arens had successfully argued that defence spending could not be reduced in the light of the ongoing Gulf crisis.· This included 7,777,400 million won for defence spending, an increase of 12.9 percent over the previous year.· The Ministry of Defence announced today that it will close in 20 months time as part of cutbacks in defence spending.· United States defence spending has been a key driving force behind much of the electronics, telecommunications and computer industries.· The obvious candidate is defence spending.· There has been a comparable fall in support for increasing military defence spending and compulsory military service.· The government on June 13 revealed the exact levels of defence spending, which had hitherto been secret.· The government was committed to further major reductions in defence spending.
· There is already tension over the controversial national missile defence system.· And the ground defence system had not got one shot off in retaliation.· This virus affects the body's defence system so that it can not fight infection.· Between Achanalt and Achnasheen there are no real breaches in their defence system.· The drug's designed to stimulate the body's own defence system to fight the virus.· Take for example, the national missile-defence system proposed by the United States, and strongly supported by George Bush.· Examples of such systems include: defence systems, satellite communication systems, transportation systems, manufacturing systems and economic systems.· In common with all other forms of fire defence systems, however, a sprinkler system has limitations.
VERB· Nor can they have been substantial enough to have provided defence against further attacks from the Huns or from the Alamans.· As to the point of ownership of lorries, that would not in itself have provided a defence.· Even if it is feasible, there is no guarantee that this would provide a defence to an infringement action.· The law, which provided F437,800 million for defence equipment spending, was adopted on Dec. 18, 1989.· Why is the government directly involved in providing defence, schools, and health services?· This means that, even though an exemption clause on its wording apparently provides a defence, it may nevertheless be ineffective.· The Secretary of State did not provide a good defence of the Government's proposition.· Delusion-formation in paranoid disorders makes use of this process to provide defence against the passive homosexual wish.
· In summary, governments have many reasons for spending so much on defence.· The economy remained on a war footing during 1989 with between 30 and 40 percent of the budget being spent on defence.· In all, nearly 31 million pounds had been spent on war and defence from 1540 until 1552.· Caps on discretionary spending were not raised, nor was spending transferred from the defence to domestic programmes.· In the West small countries that refuse to spend big on defence technology are frequently criticised for not pulling their weight.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► defencesPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- The defence plans to call only one witness to testify.
- Today, the defence makes its final presentation to the jury.
- But the girlfriend of deputy manager John Onanuga leapt to his defence.
- Did Geoffrey leap to the defence of every person with disabilities whom he encountered?
- The stats cant leap to his defence either.
- Never let your guard down was the only solace he offered.
- We must not let our defences down, Mrs Thatcher and other cautious voices would argue.
- Equally notable figures will spring to the defence of the secret deal, however.
WORD FAMILYnoundefence/defensedefendantdefenderdefensivenessadjectivedefenceless/defenselessdefensible ≠ indefensibledefensiveadverbdefensibly ≠ indefensiblydefensivelyverbdefend
1protection a)[uncountable] the act of protecting something or someone from attackdefence of In Britain, the defence of the country has historically been left to the navy. a firm commitment to the defense of human rights The first line of defence is a smoke detector. b)[countable] something that can be used to protect something or someone from attack: The area’s flood defences need repair.defence against The immune system is the body’s defence against infection. → self-defence2military a)[uncountable] all the systems, people, materials etc that a country uses to protect itself from attack: calls for a national debate on defence the Defense Department b)defences British English, defenses American English [plural] all the armies, weapons, structures etc that are available to defend a place: The invading army easily overcame the town’s defences.3against criticism [countable, uncountable] something that you say or do in order to support someone or something that is being criticizedin somebody’s/something’s defence Jean wrote a letter to the paper in Angela’s defense.defence of a philosophical defence of nationalismcome/leap to somebody’s defence Evelyn Waugh came to Wilson’s defence and acknowledged the brilliance of the book’s themes.4in a law court a)[countable] the things that are said in a court of law to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime: Major has a good defence and believes he will win the case. a defence lawyer b)the defence all the lawyers who try to prove in a court of law that someone is not guilty of a crime: The defense called only one witness. → prosecution(2)5emotions [countable] something you do or a way of behaving that prevents you from seeming weak or being hurt by others: Liz dropped her defences and began to relax.6sport [countable] the players on a sports team whose main job is to try to prevent the other team from getting pointsCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2defence + NOUNa defence force (=group of soldiers, pilots etc trained to defend a country)· The country's defence forces are on standby in case of an attack.a defence system (=a system of people, organizations etc to defend a country)· Is the national defence system adequate?a defence policy· Ministers in Brussels have been discussing a possible European defence policy.defence spending/expenditure· There were plans to cut defence spending by one billion pounds.the defence budget (=amount of money a government makes available for defence)· They have called for the defence budget to be increased.the Defence Department (=part of the government dealing with defence)· This is secret information, known only to the Defence Department.the Defence Secretary (=person in a government in charge of defence)· The Defence Secretary is under pressure to resign.