defence - noun

(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires

(sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring

the defendant and his legal advisors collectively

an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack

the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions

the justification for some act or belief

a structure used to defend against attack

a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him

(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies

protection from harm

the act of defending someone or something against attack or injury

defence - thesaurus

defense   demurrer   denial   refutation   vindication