defense

defense · noun, verb¹

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

From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced native Old English bewering. The verb is from the noun.

defense · verb²

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

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

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 1932 To employ defensive tactics (so as to block).