() [] (in a legal case) the reasons that sb/sth gives for not being guilty of a crime or of doing sth wrong; the act of presenting this argument in a court（司法案件中的）辩护；答辩◆Their defence was that they were prevented from finishing the work on time.他们辩称，他们被阻止按时完成工作。◆He wanted to conduct his own defence.他想自己为自己辩护。 () the defence [] the lawyer or lawyers whose job is to prove in a court that sb/sth did not commit a crime or do sth wrong辩护律师◆The defence has tried to discredit the witness.辩护律师试图质疑证人。➡prosecution [] (used in compounds 用于复合词) a particular method by which a company tries to avoid a takeover (= being bought by another company)抵制接管（或收购）◆preparing a bid defence准备抵制收购