ETYM Old Fren. advocatie, Late Lat. advocatia. Related to Advocate.
Active support especially the act of pleading or arguing for something.

ETYM Old Eng. andsware, AS. andswaru; and against + swerian to swear. Related to Anti-, and Swear, un-.
1. The speech act of replying to a question.
2. A statement (either spoken or written) that is made in reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation; SYN. reply, response.
3. A nonverbal reaction.
4. The principle pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of 'guilty' or 'not guilty' (or nolo contendere).

Systematic argumentative discourse in defense (as of a doctrine).

ETYM Latin apologia, Greek; apo from + logos speech: cf. French apologie. Related to Apologetic.
1. A formal written defense of something one believes in strongly; SYN. apologia.
2. A poor example.
3. An expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone.

ETYM Latin assertio, from asserere.
A declaration that is made as if no supporting evidence were necessary; SYN. averment, asseveration.

ETYM Old Eng. on-behalve in the name of, bihalven by the side of, from AS. healf half, also side, part: akin to German halb half, halber on account of. Related to Be-, and Half.
1. As the agent of or on someone's part; usually expressed as rather than:.
2. For someone's advantage or benefit (usually expressed as rather than and usually with a possessive):.

The status of being a champion; SYN. title.
1. Designation as champion
2. The act of championing; defense
3. A contest held to determine a champion

Alternate (chiefly British) spelling for defense.

ETYM French défense, Old Fren. defense, fem., defens, masc., from Latin defensa (cf. Late Lat. defensum), from defendere. Related to Defend, Fence.
In law, collective term for the defendant (the person accused of having committed a crime or wrong) and his or her legal advisors and representatives. It is also the case made in answer to the action or claim being made against the defendant. Defendants who cannot afford to pay for legal advisors are frequently granted legal aid (assistance with fees).1. Protection from harm; SYN. defence.
2. The justification for some act or belief; SYN. defence, vindication.
3. An organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack; SYN. defence.
4. Military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies; SYN. defence, defensive measure.
5. A defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him; SYN. defence, denial, demurrer.
6. The defendant and his legal advisors collectively; SYN. defence, defense team, defense lawyers.
7. The team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring; SYN. defence, defending team.

ETYM Old Eng. plee, plai, plait, from Old Fren. plait, plaid, plet, Late Lat. placitum judgment, decision, assembly, court, from Latin placitum that which is pleasing, an opinion, sentiment, from placere to please. Related to Please, Placit, Plead.
1. An answer indicating why a suit should be dismissed.
2. (Law) A defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer).

(Law) An allegation in legal form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding.

ETYM Latin protectio: cf. French protection.
1. The activity of protecting someone or something; SYN. protecting, guarding.
2. The condition of being protected; SYN. shelter.
3. The imposition of duties or quotas on imports in order to protect domestic industry against foreign competition; SYN. trade protection.
4. Payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence; SYN. tribute.

ETYM Latin vindicatio a laying claim, defense, vindication. Related to Vindicate.
The act of vindicating; SYN. exoneration, whitewash.

ETYM AS. weard, fem., guard, weard, masc., keeper, guard.
1. A district into which a city or town is divided for the purpose of administration and elections.
2. A division of a hospital (or a suite of rooms) shared by patients who need a similar kind of care; SYN. hospital ward.
3. A person who is under the protection or in the custody of another.

The clearing of an accused person by oaths of others who swear to the veracity or innocence of the accused.
Clearing an accused person by means of oaths; vindication.