0 US spelling of defence mechanism --
1 an automatic way of behaving or thinking by which you protect yourself from something, especially from feeling unpleasant emotions: --
Arrogance is often a defense mechanism.
The porcupine's defense mechanism against predators is to crouch and raise quills which results in highway accidents and roadkill of this rodent.
The defense mechanism, however, is outmatched in the fall and following spring when the dormant tree is unable to defend itself.
He stated that this process is active, in that we forget specific events as a defense mechanism.
The ribs act as a defense mechanism, causing little harm to the newt.
The species is distinct in its ability to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine as a herbivore defense mechanism.
As a defense mechanism, they will spray a foul smelling liquid.
Whilst this distinguishes the condition from denial, which is a psychological defense mechanism, attempts have been made at a unified explanation.
Therefore, a possible explanation is defense mechanism.
