Part 2856

<h1>Defenseless</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fense"less</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Destitute of defense; unprepared to resist attack; unable to oppose; unprotected.</def> -- <wordforms><wf>De*fense"less*ly</wf>, <tt>adv.</tt> -- <wf>De*fense"less*ness</wf>, <tt>n.</tt></wordforms>

<h1>Defenser</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fens"er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>d\'82fenseur</ets>, L. <ets>defensor</ets>. Cf. <er>Defensor</er>.]</ety> <def>Defender.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Foxe.</i>

<h1>Defensibility</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fen`si*bil"i*ty</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Capability of being defended.</def>

<h1>Defensible</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fen"si*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>d\'82fensable</ets>, LL. <ets>defensabilis</ets>, <ets>defensibilis</ets>. See <er>Defense</er>, and cf. <er>Defendable</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Capable of being defended; <as>as, a <ex>defensible</ex> city, or a <ex>defensible</ex> cause</as>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Capable of offering defense.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Shak.</i>

<h1>Defensibleness</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fen"si*ble*ness</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Capability of being defended; defensibility.</def>

<i>Priestley.</i>

<h1>Defensive</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fen"sive</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>d\'82fensif</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to <i>offensive</i>; <as>as, <ex>defensive</ex> armor</as>.</def>

<blockquote>A moat <b>defensive</b> to a house. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; -- opposed to <i>offensive</i>; <as>as, <ex>defensive</ex> war</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>In a state or posture of defense.</def>

<i>Milton.</i>

<h1>Defensive</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fen"sive</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>That which defends; a safeguard.</def>

<blockquote>Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true <b>defensive</b>. <i>Bacon.</i></blockquote>

<cs><mcol><col>To be on the defensive</col>, <col>To stand on the defensive</col></mcol>, <cd>to be or stand in a state or posture of defense or resistance, in opposition to aggression or attack.</cd></cs>

<h1>Defensively</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fen"sive*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <def>On the defensive.</def>