defence

defence · noun¹

1. Late Latin · derived fromdēfēnsa“protection”
2. Old French · derived fromdefens
3. Middle English · inherited fromdefens
4. English todaydefence

From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced Old English bewering.

defence · verb²

1. Latin · derived fromdēfēnsō
2. Old French · derived fromdefenser
3. Middle English · inherited fromdefencen
4. English todaydefence

From Middle English defencen, defensen, from Old French defenser or its etymon, Latin dēfēnsō.

Words from the same roots