Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense.
Acts xxii. 1.
4. (Law) The defendant's answer or plea; an opposing or denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff's or prosecutor's case; the method of proceeding adopted by the defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff's action.
5. Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc.
A man of great defense.
Spenser.
By how much defense is better than no skill.
Shak.