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A work constructed within another, to prolong the defense of the position when the enemy has gained possession of the outer work; or to protect the defenders till they can retreat or obtain terms for a capitulation.

in an ellipse or spiral. That fear Comes thundering back, with dreadful revolution, On my defenseless head. Milton.

That which resembles a rock in firmness; a defense; a support; a refuge. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress. 2 Sam. xxii. 2.

s which the ruthless code of war allowed, in that age, on the persons and property of the defenseless inhabitants, without regard to sex or age. Prescott.

One who, or that which, defends or protects; defense; protection. Shak. Thy sword, the safeguard of thy brother's throne. Granwille.

A fortification, or work for defense; a fort. No sconce or fortress of his raising was ever known either to have been forced, or yielded up, or quitted. Milton.

That which secures or makes safe; protection; guard; defense. Specifically:

See Self-defense.

They usually arise in clusters from muscular capsules, and are used in locomotion and for defense. They are very diverse in form.

Anything which protects or defends; defense; shelter; protection. "My council is my shield." Shak.

dow, designed to shut out the light, to obstruct the view, or to be of some strength as a defense; a blind.

Fig.: Equipped; strengthened. When he sees Ourselves well sinewed to our defense. Shak.

s, secreting an extremely fetid liquid, which the animal ejects at pleasure as a means of defense.

not prompt or quick; dilatory; sluggish; as, slow of speech, and slow of tongue. Fixed on defense, the Trojans are not slow To guard their shore from an expected foe. Dryden.

To use the fists and arms scientifically in attack or defense; to contend or combat with the fists, as for exercise or amusement; to box. Made believe to spar at Paul with great science. Dickens.

To go to opposite sides; to take an attitude of offense or defense, or of defiance; to quarrel. [Obs.] Are you such fools To square for this Shak.

A stick carried in the hand for support or defense by a person walking; hence, a support; that which props or upholds. "Hooked staves." Piers Plowman. The boy was the very staff of my age. Shak. He spoke of it [beer] in "The Earnest Cry," and likewise in the "Scotch Drink," as one of the staffs of life which had been s…

A halt or stop for the purpose of defense, resistance, or opposition; as, to come to, or to make, a stand. Vice is at stand, and at the highest flow. Dryden.

Any sharp organ of offense and defense, especially when connected with a poison gland, and adapted to inflict a wound by piercing; as the caudal sting of a scorpion. The sting of a bee or wasp is a modified ovipositor. The caudal sting, or spine, of a sting ray is a modified dorsal fin ray. The term is sometimes applie…

A defense for the front of the thigh, consisting of one or more iron plates hanging from the belt on the lower edge of the corselet.