Defence
/dɪˈfɛns/noun
The action of protecting someone or something against attack, harm, or danger.
Did you know?Defence comes from Latin *defendere*, literally “to ward off” or “push away,” and its ancestor *fendere* is tied to striking or thrusting—so the word carries an ancient image of force meeting force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gwhen-
“to strike, hit, or wound”
Latin
Latin
fendere
“to strike, thrust, or hit”
Latin
Latin
defendere
“to ward off, repel, or protect against”
Old French
Old French
defens
“protection; prohibition; defense”
Middle English
English
defence
“protection against attack or legal claim”
Modern English
English
defence
“protection against attack, harm, or danger”