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# defence

noun (defence, defences); American spelling «defense»

«defence» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Defence is protecting yourself or something against attack or danger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#m1)
2. In sports, the defence is the players who try to stop the other team scoring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#m2)
3. A defence is something said to support a person who is blamed or accused, as in court. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#m3)
4. Defences are walls, armies or other things that protect a place. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#m4)

### In the lessons

In history lessons, castles had defences like moats and walls. In science, the body's defences fight germs. In PE, defence is stopping goals. In stories it is standing up for someone. Phrases: «in defence of», «self-defence», «the defence», «sea defences».

### Examples

- The castle's defences included a moat and high walls. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#x1)
- She spoke up in defence of her friend. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#x2)
- Our team's defence was very strong. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#x3)
- The skin is the body's first defence against germs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#x4)
- Sea defences protect the town from floods. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#x5)
- He learned self-defence at a club. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#x6)
- A hedgehog's spines are its defence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#x7)
- On being brought into court she was ready with her defence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/#x8)

### Note

British, Irish, Australian and NZ spelling is «defence»; American is «defense» (Canada often uses «defence»). Verb: «defend». Opposite: «attack», «offence». In sports, «defense» in American English is often said «DEE-fence». Not a number word.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means protection, as if the shelter or shadow guarding the Canaanites had been taken away.

**Interpretation.** Rashi and others read this as the Canaanites' protection being gone, so Israel need not fear them.

### Examples

- Only rebel not against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us; their defence is removed from over them, and the LORD is with us; fear them not.' (Torah NUM.14.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/defence/#x1)
- And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah. (Writings 2CH.11.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/defence/#x2)
- Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the defence of my head; Judah is my sceptre. (Writings PSA.108.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/defence/#x3)
- Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the defence of my head; Judah is my sceptre. (Writings PSA.60.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/defence/#x4)

### Note

British, Irish, Australian and NZ spelling is «defence»; American is «defense» (Canada often uses «defence»). Verb: «defend». Opposite: «attack», «offence». In sports, «defense» in American English is often said «DEE-fence». Not a number word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «defence» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/defence/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«defence» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/defence.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «defence» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/defence/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«defence» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/defence.html) on Mova free.