self-de·fense
(sĕlf′dĭ-fĕns′)n.
1. Defense of oneself when physically attacked: took a course in self-defense.
2. Defense of what belongs to oneself, as one's works or reputation.
3. Law The use of force against another person as permitted by the law when that person is perceived as presenting an immediate or imminent threat to one's own life or safety.
self′-de·fen′sive adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
self′-defense′
n.
1. the act of defending one's person by physical force.
2. a claim or plea that the use of force was necessary in defending one's own person.
3. an act or instance of protecting one's own interests, property, etc., as by argument.
Also, esp. Brit.,self′-defence′.[1645–55]
self′-defen′sive, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
self-defense
A commander has the authority and obligation to use all necessary means available and to take all appropriate action to defend that commander's unit and other US forces in the vicinity from a hostile act or hostile intent. Force used should not exceed that which is necessary to decisively counter the hostile act or intent and ensure the continued safety of US forces or other persons and property they are ordered to protect. US forces may employ such force in self-defense only so long as the hostile force continues to present an imminent threat.
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  self-defense - the act of defending yourself protection - the activity of protecting someone or something; "the witnesses demanded police protection" martial art - any of several Oriental arts of weaponless self-defense; usually practiced as a sport; "he had a black belt in the martial arts" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
self-defence
(American) self-defense (selfdiˈfens) noun defence of one's own body, property etc against attack. He killed his attacker in self-defence.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
self-defense
→ دِفَاعٌ عَنِ النَّفْس sebeobrana selvforsvar Selbstverteidigung αυτοάμυνα defensa propia itsepuolustus autodéfense samoobrana autodifesa 自衛 정당방위 zelfverdediging selvforsvar samoobrona autodefesa самозащита självförsvar การป้องกันตัวเอง meşru müdafaa sự tự vệ 自卫Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009