defence
/dɪˈfens/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈfens/ (ame, ipa)
defence — 名詞
1. the action of keeping someone or something safe from physical attack, harm, dang
防禦
保護他人或自身免受攻擊的行為
the action of keeping someone or something safe from physical attack, harm, danger, or unfair criticism
The soldiers fought bravely in defence of their country during the war.
戰爭期間，士兵們為了保衛國家而勇敢作戰。
in defence of [country]
Élise spoke up in defence of her colleague when the manager blamed him unfairly.
Élise 挺身為同事辯護，因為經理不公平地責怪他。
speak up in defence of [person]
The community centre provides classes on self-defence for women living in the area.
社區中心為當地女性提供防身術課程。
Adaeze wrote a newspaper article in defence of the new library opening hours.
Adaeze 在報紙上寫了一篇文章為新的圖書館開放時間辯護。
- protection
broader term, not limited to active resistance
- safeguarding
more formal, emphasises preventive measures
- attack
the opposing action to defence
文法句型
in defence of [someone/something]
defence of [someone/something]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' to indicate what or who is being protected. The compound 'self-defence' refers specifically to protecting oneself from physical violence.
常見錯誤
2. something such as a wall, barrier, substance, or system that stops something dan
防護物
用於抵擋攻擊或危險的設施或物質
something such as a wall, barrier, substance, or system that stops something dangerous from reaching or harming someone or something
The castle had thick stone walls that were a strong defence against attacking armies.
城堡厚厚的石牆是抵擋敵軍進攻的堅固防線。
defence against [enemy]
Eating fruit and vegetables helps build your body's natural defence against colds and flu.
多吃水果和蔬菜有助於建立身體對感冒和流感的天然防禦力。
natural defence against [illness]
Villagers built a flood defence of sandbags along the riverbank before the storm arrived.
村民在暴風雨來臨前，沿著河岸用沙袋築起了一道防洪設施。
The animal's thick fur coat serves as a defence against freezing winter temperatures.
動物身上厚厚的毛皮可以禦寒，抵擋冬季的嚴寒低溫。
- shield
more concrete, often a physical object
- barrier
emphasises blocking access rather than active protection
- protection
more general term for anything that keeps someone safe
文法句型
defence against [threat]
[adjective] defence
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'against' to specify the threat being blocked. In biology, 'defence' often refers to the body's immune response.
3. the military forces, weapons, systems, and government organisations that a count
國防
國家為抵禦外敵而設置的軍事體系
the military forces, weapons, systems, and government organisations that a country uses to protect itself against enemy attack
The government announced a plan to increase defence spending by five percent next year.
政府宣布一項計劃，明年將國防支出增加百分之五。
defence spending
Nikhil works for a company that builds communication systems for the Ministry of Defence.
Nikhil 在一家為國防部建造通訊系統的公司工作。
Ministry of Defence (title)
Several countries signed a defence agreement to protect their shared border.
數個國家簽署了一項國防協議，共同保護邊界安全。
The defence minister visited the naval base to inspect the new warships.
國防部長視察海軍基地，檢閱新式軍艦。
- national security
broader concept that includes non-military threats
- military
refers specifically to the armed forces, not the whole system
文法句型
defence [noun]
defence of [country]
用法筆記
When used as a modifier before a noun (e.g., 'defence minister', 'defence budget'), it functions like an adjective. The British spelling 'defence' is used; the American equivalent is 'defense'.
常見錯誤
4. a spoken or written statement that explains why a particular idea, action, or pe
辯護
為受批評的人事物所作的辯解
a spoken or written statement that explains why a particular idea, action, or person is right or good, especially after it has been criticised or attacked
The professor wrote a detailed defence of his research after other scientists questioned his methods.
在其他科學家質疑其研究方法後，這位教授為自己的研究寫了一篇詳細的辯護文章。
defence of [action]
Wei published a passionate defence of renewable energy in the local newspaper last week.
Wei 上週在地方報紙上發表了一篇支持再生能源的慷慨陳詞。
The company's defence of its decision to raise prices did little to calm angry customers.
公司對漲價決定的辯護，絲毫無法安撫憤怒的顧客。
Hamza's speech at the conference was a strong defence of free speech and open debate.
Hamza 在會議上的演講，是對言論自由及開放辯論的有力捍衛。
- justification
stronger emphasis on proving something is right
- support
broader, less formal
- argument
can be neutral; defence implies taking a side
- criticism
an attack on an idea or action
文法句型
defence of [idea/person/action]
in defence of [something]
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'of' + the person or thing being supported. Unlike sense 1, this meaning focuses on verbal or written justification rather than physical protection.
5. a reason or set of reasons that someone gives to explain why they should not be
抗辯
證明自己無罪的論點或理由
a reason or set of reasons that someone gives to explain why they should not be blamed for something wrong or illegal that happened
His defence was that he was at home watching television during the bank robbery.
他的辯詞是，銀行搶案發生時他正在家裡看電視。
[possessive] defence was that...
Tiredness after a long shift is no defence for making dangerous mistakes at work.
值了長時間的班後感到疲累，並不能當作在工作中犯下危險錯誤的藉口。
no defence for [wrongdoing]
Reuben's only defence was that the train had been delayed by two hours.
Reuben 唯一的辯詞是火車延誤了兩個小時。
The defendant's lawyer prepared a defence based on three witnesses who saw him elsewhere.
被告的律師根據三名目擊證人準備了辯護，這些證人都看見他在別處。
- alibi
specifically a claim of being elsewhere at the time; narrower than defence
- plea
formal legal term for a defendant's answer to charges
- explanation
neutral term without the implication of innocence
- accusation
a claim that someone is guilty
文法句型
[possessive] defence is/was that...
someone's defence
no defence
用法筆記
Often followed by a that-clause explaining the reasoning. This sense can apply both inside and outside a courtroom; compare with sense 6, which is restricted to formal court proceedings.
常見錯誤
6. the lawyers, arguments, and evidence that work together in a court of law to sho
答辯
法庭上為被告辯護的陳述與證據
the lawyers, arguments, and evidence that work together in a court of law to show that someone accused of a crime is not guilty
The defence called three expert witnesses to support their case in court.
辯方傳喚了三名專家證人，在法庭上支持他們的論點。
the defence called [witnesses]
The jury listened carefully to the defence before they began their discussions.
陪審團在開始討論之前，仔細聽取了辯方的陳述。
Anong's lawyer spent six months preparing the defence before the trial finally began.
Anong 的律師花了六個月的時間準備答辯，審判才終於開始。
The defence lawyer asked the witness several questions about what she had seen that night.
辯方律師就當晚所見，向證人提出了幾個問題。
- legal team
focuses on the people rather than the case
- case for the defence
makes explicit that this is the argument presented
- prosecution
the side that tries to prove guilt
文法句型
the defence + verb
the defence [noun]
用法筆記
In formal legal contexts, 'the defence' can refer collectively to the legal team, the case they present, or both. It functions as a singular noun even though it represents multiple people.
常見錯誤
7. In a court of law, the individual or group accused of a crime, together with the
辯方
被告及其律師團隊
In a court of law, the individual or group accused of a crime, together with the lawyers who represent them.
The defence argued that the DNA evidence had been mishandled by the police laboratory.
辯方主張，DNA 證據在警方實驗室中遭到不當處理。
the + defence + verb of arguing (argue, claim, maintain)
Lakshmi's defence team spent six months reviewing every document in the case.
Lakshmi 的辯護團隊花了六個月審查案件中的所有文件。
possessive + defence team
The judge allowed the defence to call three more witnesses before the trial ended.
法官允許辯方在審判結束前再傳喚三名證人。
Before the jury began its discussion, the defence presented a powerful closing statement.
在陪審團開始討論之前，辯方發表了一份有力的結辯陳詞。
- legal team
emphasises the group of lawyers rather than the accused person themselves
- prosecution
the lawyers who try to prove the accused person is guilty
用法筆記
Usually treated as a singular uncountable noun. In American English the spelling is 'defense'.
常見錯誤
8. In football, basketball, and similar sports, the set of players responsible for
防守；後衛
團隊中阻止對方得分的球員
In football, basketball, and similar sports, the set of players responsible for preventing the opposing side from adding to their score.
The team's defence has been excellent this season, conceding only eight goals in fifteen matches.
這支球隊本季的防守表現優異，十五場比賽只失八球。
possessive + defence + performance verb (has been, played, struggled)
Mauricio usually plays in defence, but his coach put him in midfield for the final.
Mauricio 通常踢後衛，但教練在冠軍賽將他調到中場。
plays in defence
A strong defence is just as important as a good attack in winning a championship.
要贏得冠軍，堅強的防守和凌厲的攻勢同樣重要。
Putri's excellent positioning helped the defence clear the ball from danger.
Putri 的優越站位幫助防守方將球清出危險區域。
- backline
used mainly in football and rugby for the defensive players positioned furthest back
- defensive unit
more formal, often used by commentators and analysts
用法筆記
Can take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is viewed as a unit or as individual players. American spelling: 'defense'.
9. In chess, a recognised series of opening plays adopted by the player who handles
防禦開局
西洋棋中黑棋的開局走法
In chess, a recognised series of opening plays adopted by the player who handles the dark pieces, usually bearing the name of its inventor or the location where it became famous.
Baraka opened with the Sicilian Defence, a bold move that put pressure on white's centre.
Baraka 以西西里防禦開局，這個大膽的選擇立即對白棋的中心形成壓力。
the [Name] Defence — proper noun capitalisation pattern
The Petrov Defence is popular among club players because it leads to balanced positions.
彼得羅夫防禦在業餘棋手中很受歡迎，因為它會形成平衡的局面。
Wei studied the French Defence for months before using it in the regional championship.
Wei 花了數月研習法蘭西防禦，然後在區域錦標賽中運用出來。
Gita chose the Caro–Kann Defence because she wanted a solid and safe position.
Gita 選擇了卡羅－康防禦，因為她想要一個穩固而安全的位置。
- opening
general term for both colours; 'defence' specifically refers to black's response to white's first move
用法筆記
The name of the defence is always capitalised because it is treated as a proper noun (e.g. 'Caro–Kann Defence', 'Pirc Defence'). This term applies only to the player with the black pieces; white's equivalent is simply called an 'opening'.