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Defence vs Deterrence - What's the difference?

defence | deterrence |

As nouns the difference between defence and deterrence

is that defence is the action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury while deterrence is the act of deterring, or the state of being deterred.

As a verb defence

is (obsolete|transitive) to furnish with defences; to fortify.

defence

English

Alternative forms

* defense (US )

Noun

(en noun)
  • The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
  • * Shakespeare
    • In cases of defence 'tis best to weigh / The enemy more mighty than he seems.
  • Something used to oppose attack(s).
  • * 1592—1609 , , Sonnet XII:
    • And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence
    Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
  • An argument in support or justification of something.
  • * 1592—1609 , , Sonnet LXXXIX:
    • Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,
    Against thy reasons making no defence .
  • A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
  • The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
  • Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
    • Department of Defence
  • Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
  • * Sir W. Temple
    • Severe defences against wearing any linen under a certain breadth.

    Synonyms

    * See

    Antonyms

    * offence (Commonwealth), offense (US)

    Derived terms

    * antidefence, antidefense * ecodefence, ecodefense * Nuremberg defence, Nuremberg defense * defensive * defensiveness

    Verb

    (defenc)
  • (obsolete) To furnish with defences; to fortify.
  • * Hales:
    • Better manned and more strongly defenced .

    deterrence

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • The act of deterring, or the state of being deterred
  • Action taken by states or alliances of nations against equally powerful alliances to prevent hostile action
  • The art of producing in one's enemy the fear to attack

    • Anagrams

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