Defeat. This word expresses the complete want of success of an army; a repulse signifying less, and a rout more, than defeat.
Defeat. To resist with success; as, to defeat an assault.
Defection. The act of abandoning a person or cause to which one is bound by allegiance or duty, or to which one has attached himself.
Defend. To secure against attack; to maintain; as, to defend a town; to defend a cause.
Defender. One who defends; one who maintains, supports, protects, etc.
Defense. In military law, is the defendant’s answer to the plea; an opposing or denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff’s case; the method of proceeding adopted by the defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff’s action.
Defense. In fortification, consists of all sorts of works that cover and defend the opposite posts; as flanks, parapets, casements, etc.
Defense, Active. Comprehends every species of offensive operation which is resorted to by the besieged to annoy the besiegers.
Defense, Distant. Consists in being able to interrupt the enemy’s movements by circuitous inundations; to inundate, for instance, a bridge, when a convoy is passing, or to insulate batteries, the heads of saps or lodgments which have been made in the covert way. By this species of defense an enemy’s communications may be perpetually intercepted, and his approaches so obstructed as to force him to leave dangerous intervals.
Defense, Line of. Represents the flight of a rifle-ball from the place where the soldiers stand, to scour the face of the bastion. The line of defense should never exceed the range of a rifle. It is either fichant or rayant. The first is when it is drawn from the angle; the last, when it is drawn from a point in the curtain, ranging the face of the bastion in fortification.