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.