() [] (in a legal case) the reasons that sb/sth gives for not being guilty of a crime or of doing sth wrong; the act of presenting this argument in a court （司法案件中的）辩护；答辩◆Their defence was that they were prevented from finishing the work on time. 他们辩称，他们被阻止按时完成工作。◆He wanted to conduct his own defence. 他想自己为自己辩护。
() the defence [] the lawyer or lawyers whose job is to prove in a court that sb/sth did not commit a crime or do sth wrong 辩护律师◆The defence has tried to discredit the witness. 辩护律师试图质疑证人。➡prosecution
[] (used in compounds 用於复合词) a particular method by which a company tries to avoid a takeover (= being bought by another company) 抵制接管（或收购）◆preparing a bid defence 准备抵制收购