Skip to content
Search the dictionary
Word of the Day
Etymology
Tools
A–Z
History
Etymology
· Old French
defens
3 English words descend from Old French
defens
, most common first.
defense
The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
defence
The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
fence
A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or forms a perimeter enclosing the lands of a house, building, etc.