Topic: SPORT
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de‧fence S2 W1 British English ; defense American English
1
protection
a) [uncountable] the act of protecting something or someone from attack a firm commitment to the defense of human rights
a firm commitment to the defense of human rightsb) [countable] something that can be used to protect something or someone from attack : The area's flood defences need repair.
➔ self-defenceThe area's flood defences need repair.2
military
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
calls for a national debate on defencethe Defense Departmentb) all the armies, weapons, structures etc that are available to defend a place : The invading army easily overcame the town's defences.
defences
British English ; defenses American English [plural]The invading army easily overcame the town's defences.3 something that you say or do in order to support someone or something that is being criticized
against criticism
[uncountable and countable] defence of a philosophical defence of nationalism
a philosophical defence of nationalism come/leap to somebody's defence Evelyn Waugh came to Wilson's defence and acknowledged the brilliance of the book's themes.
Evelyn Waugh came to Wilson's defence and acknowledged the brilliance of the book's themes.4
in a law court
a) [countable]SCL 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
Major has a good defence and believes he will win the case.a defence lawyerb) 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)
the defence
SCLThe defense called only one witness.5 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.
emotions
[countable]MPLiz dropped her defences and began to relax.6 the players in a game whose main job is to try to prevent the other team from getting points
sport
[countable] British EnglishDSWORD FOCUS: court WORD FOCUS: court
people in a court of law: judge, magistrate, jury, defence British English/defense American English, prosecution, defendant, witness, attorney, lawyer, barrister British English, solicitor British English, district attorney American English
what happens in a court case:At the beginning of the trial, the person who is accused pleads guilty or not guilty to the charges against them. The lawyers for the prosecution try to prove that the defendant is guilty, and the lawyers for the defence try to prove that their client is innocent. The judge and the jury examine the evidence and listen to the testimony of the witnesses. At the end of the trial, the judge then sums up the case, and the jury then gives their verdict. If the person is found guilty, the judge sentences them to a period of time in prison, or orders them to pay a fine. If the person is found not guilty, they are released.court
➔ See also court
WORD FOCUS: court people in a court of law: judge, magistrate, jury, defence British English/defense American English, prosecution, defendant, witness, attorney, lawyer, barrister British English, solicitor British English, district attorney American English
what happens in a court case:At the beginning of the trial, the person who is accused pleads guilty or not guilty to the charges against them. The lawyers for the prosecution try to prove that the defendant is guilty, and the lawyers for the defence try to prove that their client is innocent. The judge and the jury examine the evidence and listen to the testimony of the witnesses. At the end of the trial, the judge then sums up the case, and the jury then gives their verdict. If the person is found guilty, the judge sentences them to a period of time in prison, or orders them to pay a fine. If the person is found not guilty, they are released.court
➔ See also court
