de‧fence S2 W1 British English , defense American English / dɪfens / 名词
1 protection
a) [不可数名词] the act of protecting something or someone from attack
defence 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) [可数名词] 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-defence
2 military
a) [不可数名词] 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 [复数形式] all the armies, weapons, structures etc that are available to defend a place :
The invading army easily overcame the town’s defences.
3 against criticism [可数和不可数名词] something that you say or do in order to support someone or something that is being criticized
in sb’s/sth’s defence
Jean wrote a letter to the paper in Angela’s defense.
defence of
a philosophical defence of nationalism
come/leap to sb’s defence
Evelyn Waugh came to Wilson’s defence and acknowledged the brilliance of the book’s themes.
4 in a law court
a) [可数名词] 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 )
5 emotions [可数名词] 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.
6 sport [可数名词] British English the players in a game whose main job is to try to prevent the other team from getting points 反义词 offense
COLLOCATIONS
defence + NOUN
a 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.