Part 103

As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it.

Is. xxxi. 5.

Leave not the faithful side That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects.

Milton.

De*fend"a*ble (d*fnd"*b'l), a. [Cf. F. défendable.] Capable of being defended; defensible. [R.]

De*fend"ant (aant), a. [F. défendant, p. pr. of défendre. See Defend.] 1. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive. [Obs.]

With men of courage and with means defendant.

Shak.

2. Making defense.

De*fend"ant, n. 1. One who defends; a defender.

The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up.

Spotswood.

2. (Law) A person required to make answer in an action or suit; -- opposed to plaintiff. Abbott.

The term is applied to any party of whom a demand is made in court, whether the party denies and defends the claim, or admits it, and suffers a default; also to a party charged with a criminal offense.

De`fen*dee" (d`fn*d" or d*fnd"`), n. One who is defended. [R. & Ludicrous]

De*fend"er (d*fnd"r), n. [Cf. Fender.] One who defends; one who maintains, supports, protects, or vindicates; a champion; an advocate; a vindicator.

Provinces . . . left without their ancient and puissant defenders.

Motley.

De*fend"ress (?), n. A female defender. [R.]

Defendress of the faith.

Stow.

De*fen"sa*tive (?), n. [L. defensare, defensatum, to defend diligently, intens. of defendere. See Defend.] That which serves to protect or defend.

{ De*fense", De*fence" } (?), n. [F. défense, OF. defense, fem., defens, masc., fr. L. defensa (cf. LL. defensum), from defendere. See Defend, and cf. Fence.] 1. The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.

In cases of defense 't is best to weigh The enemy more mighty than he seems.

Shak.

2. That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection.

War would arise in defense of the right.

Tennyson.