0 protection or support against attack, criticism, or infection -- 保护，防护；防御；辩护
The rebels' only form of defence against the soldiers' guns was sticks and stones. 叛乱者只能用木棍和石块来抵御士兵们的枪弹。
The war has ended but government spending on defence (= the country's armed forces) is still increasing. 战争结束了，但政府的国防开支却还在增加。
When Helen criticized me, Chris came/rushed to my defence (= quickly supported me). 海伦批评我的时候，克里斯赶忙为我辩护。
The book is a closely argued defence of (= something that supports) the economic theory of Keynes. 那本书通过严密的论证为凯恩斯的经济理论进行辩护。
The towers were once an important part of the city's defences. 那些高塔曾经是该市防御体系中的重要组成部分。
A good diet helps build the body's natural defences. 良好的饮食习惯有助于增强身体的自然抵抗能力。
1 an argument or explanation that you use to prove that you are not guilty of something -- 辩护，辩解；辩词
The judge remarked that ignorance was not a valid defence. 法官说无知不能成为有效的辩护理由。
All I can say, in defence of my actions, is that I had little choice. 我只能以别无选择来为自己的行为辩解。
She said that she didn't want a lawyer and was going to conduct her own defence. 她说她不需要律师，要自己辩护。
a witness for the defence 辩方证人
a defence lawyer 辩方律师
2 in some sports, the part of a team that tries to prevent the other team from scoring goals or points -- （体育比赛中参赛队的）防线，后卫线
3 in the game of chess, a particular set of moves used by the person playing with the black pieces -- （国际象棋的）防御（黑棋的布局和走法）
What defence did you use in that last game? 上场比赛中你用了什么防御法？
Whenever anyone criticizes her husband, she immediately jumps to his defence.
They have been strengthening their border defences in preparation for war.
What remains is to argue for (3) and discuss the upshot of this defence.
They took charge of day-to-day administration and defence planning.
Only then need the lawyer start to think about the nature of any kind of defence strategy.
