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def·e·cate verb -cat·ed; -cat·ing 1 : to free from impurity or corruption

2 : to discharge feces from the bowels

— def·e·ca·tion noun

1defect noun : an imperfection that impairs worth or utility : BLEMISH

Synonyms

blemish, deformity, disfigurement, fault, flaw, imperfection, mark, pockmark, scar—more at BLEMISH

2defect verb : to desert a cause or party esp. in order to espouse another

— de·fec·tion noun

de·fec·tor noun : one that defects

Synonyms

deserter, recreant, renegade—more at RENEGADE

de·fec·tive adjective : imperfect in form or function : FAULTY

— defective noun

Synonyms

bad, faulty, imperfect—more at FAULTY

de·fence chiefly British variant of DEFENSE

de·fend verb [ORIGIN: ME, fr. OF defendre, fr. L defendere, fr. de- from + -fendere to strike]

1 : to repel danger or attack from

2 : to act as attorney for

3 : to oppose the claim of another in a lawsuit : CONTEST

4 : to maintain against opposition <~ an idea>

Synonyms

[1] cover, guard, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward; also avert, prevent; fend (off), oppose, resist, withstand; battle, contend, fight, war; conserve, keep, preserve, save; buffer, palisade, picket, wall

Antonyms

assail, assault, attack

[4] justify, maintain, support, uphold—more at MAINTAIN

de·fend·er noun : one that defends

Synonyms

custodian, defense, guard, protection, protector—more at PROTECTOR

de·fen·dant noun : a person required to make answer in a legal action or suit

de·fense noun 1 : the act of defending : resistance against attack

2 : means, method, or capability of defending

3 : an argument in support or justification

4 : the answer made by the defendant in a legal action

5 : a defending party, group, or team

Synonyms

[2] aegis, armor, cover, guard, protection, safeguard, screen, security, shield, wall, ward; also armament, arm, munitions, weaponry, weapon; fastness, fort, fortress, palisade, stronghold

[3] alibi, excuse, justification, plea, reason—more at EXCUSE

de·fense·less adjective : being without defense

Synonyms

exposed, helpless, susceptible, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unresistant, vulnerable—more at HELPLESS

defense mechanism noun : an often unconscious mental process (as repression) that assists in reaching compromise solutions to personal problems

de·fen·si·ble adjective : capable of being defended

Synonyms

justifiable, maintainable, supportable, sustainable, tenable—more at TENABLE

1defensive adjective 1 : serving or intended to defend or protect

2 : of or relating to the attempt to keep an opponent from scoring (as in a game)

— de·fen·sive·ly adverb

— de·fen·sive·ness noun

2defensive noun : a defensive position

1defer verb de·ferred; de·fer·ring [ORIGIN: ME deferren, differren, fr. MF differer, fr. L differre to postpone, be different]

: to put off to a later time : POSTPONE

Synonyms

delay, hold up, postpone, put off, shelve—more at POSTPONE

2defer verb deferred; deferring [ORIGIN: ME deferren, differren, fr. MF deferer, defferer, fr. LL deferre, fr. L, to bring down, bring, fr. de- down + ferre to carry]

: to submit or yield to the opinion or wishes of another

def·er·ence noun : courteous, respectful, or ingratiating regard for another's wishes

Synonyms

compliance, docility, obedience—more at COMPLIANCE

def·er·en·tial adjective : showing or expressing deference

Synonyms

dutiful, regardful, respectful—more at RESPECTFUL

de·fer·ment noun : the act of delaying; especially : official postponement of military service

de·fi·ance noun 1 : the act or an instance of defying

2 : disposition to resist or contend

Synonyms

disobedience, insubordination, rebelliousness, recalcitrance, refractoriness, unruliness—more at DISOBEDIENCE

de·fi·ant adjective : full of defiance

— de·fi·ant·ly adverb

Synonyms

contrary, disobedient, froward, intractable, rebellious, recalcitrant, refractory, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful—more at DISOBEDIENT