📖 D — The English dictionary · page 11

defeat — Everyday, meaning 1: To defeat means to win against someone in a game, fight, war or vote.↗ e.g. "we defeated the visiting team".↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (noun) A defeat is a loss, the failure to win.↗ e.g. "a 3–0 defeat".↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To defeat something can mean to stop it from working or succeeding.↗ e.g. "defeating the purpose".↗ Everyday, meaning 4: To be defeated by a problem means to fail to solve it.↗ e.g. "the last question defeated me".↗ Everyday, meaning 5: To admit defeat means to give up.↗ Example: Our team defeated the champions 2–1.↗ · It was their first defeat of the season.↗ · The knight defeated the dragon.↗ · Won 8, drawn 2, defeats 3: the team played 13 games.↗ · The last puzzle defeated everyone in the class.↗ · I couldn't open the jar, so I admitted defeat.↗ · Leaving the fridge open defeats the purpose of having one.↗ · He made war with all his neighbours, and defeated them.↗

defecate — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal, medical) To pass solid waste (poo) out of the body through the bottom.↗ Example: The nurse asked if he had been able to defecate.↗ · (formal) Dogs must not be allowed to defecate on the playing field.↗ · Animals defecate to get rid of the waste from their food.↗ · In biology we learned that birds defecate and urinate through the same opening.↗ · (formal) Patients should report any pain when they defecate.↗

defect — Everyday, meaning 1: noun.↗ e.g. A defect is a fault or flaw that makes something not work properly or not look right.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: noun.↗ e.g. A defect can be a problem in a body part that someone is born with, like a heart defect.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: verb.↗ e.g. To defect means to leave your country, team or side and join the other side.↗ Example: The toy was sent back because of a defect in the wheel.↗ · Every phone is tested for defects.↗ · Out of 200 bulbs, 4 had defects.↗ · The baby was born with a small heart defect.↗ · The spy defected to the other side.↗ · A scratch on the screen is a defect.↗ · This curl was intended to conceal the blind eye, but it made the defect only more visible.↗

defective — Everyday, meaning 1: Not working properly because something is wrong with it; having a fault.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (old, offensive) Used in the past about people with disabilities; this use is now hurtful and should not be used.↗ Example: The toaster was defective, so we took it back to the shop.↗ · A defective wire caused the light to flicker.↗ · The company recalled cars with defective brakes.↗ · One of the bulbs in the set was defective.↗ · You can get a refund for defective goods.↗ · The bike was defective — the chain kept slipping.↗

defence — Everyday, meaning 1: Defence is protecting yourself or something against attack or danger.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In sports, the defence is the players who try to stop the other team scoring.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A defence is something said to support a person who is blamed or accused, as in court.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Defences are walls, armies or other things that protect a place.↗ Example: The castle's defences included a moat and high walls.↗ · She spoke up in defence of her friend.↗ · Our team's defence was very strong.↗ · The skin is the body's first defence against germs.↗ · Sea defences protect the town from floods.↗ · He learned self-defence at a club.↗ · A hedgehog's spines are its defence.↗ · On being brought into court she was ready with her defence.↗ · Only rebel not against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us; their defence is removed from over them, and the LORD is with us; fear them not.'↗ (Torah NUM.14.9, JPS 1917)↗ · And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.↗ (Writings 2CH.11.5, JPS 1917)↗ · Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the defence of my head; Judah is my sceptre.↗ (Writings PSA.108.9, JPS 1917)↗ · Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the defence of my head; Judah is my sceptre.↗ (Writings PSA.60.9, JPS 1917)↗

defenceless — Everyday, meaning 1: Defenceless means having no protection, and unable to fight back or guard yourself.↗ Example: A baby bird is defenceless without its mother.↗ · The defenceless rabbit hid under a leaf.↗ · It is cowardly to attack the defenceless.↗

defend — Everyday, meaning 1: To defend someone or something is to protect it from attack or harm.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To defend is to speak up in support of someone or an idea.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: In sport to defend is to try to stop the other team scoring.↗ Example: The soldiers defended the castle.↗ · A porcupine defends itself with sharp quills.↗ · She defended her friend from the bullies.↗ · Our team defended well in the second half.↗ · He defended his idea in the class debate.↗ · The goalkeeper defends the goal.↗ · Mother birds defend their nests.↗ · Pinocchio, although alone, defended himself bravely.↗ · For I will defend this city to save it, for Mine own sake, and for My servant David's sake.'↗ (Prophets 2KI.19.34, JPS 1917)↗ · But he stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD wrought a great victory.↗ (Prophets 2SA.23.12, JPS 1917)↗ · And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city.↗ (Prophets ISA.38.6, JPS 1917)↗

defendant — Everyday, meaning 1: A defendant is a person accused of a crime in a court of law, who must answer the charge.↗ Example: The defendant said he was at home that night.↗ · The judge listened to the defendant and the witnesses.↗ · The defendant denied taking the money.↗

defender — Everyday, meaning 1: A person who protects someone or something from attack or harm.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: In team sports, a player whose job is to stop the other team from scoring.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A person who speaks up for an idea or for someone.↗ Example: Our best defender stopped the ball before it reached the goal.↗ · The defenders of the castle pulled up the drawbridge.↗ · In netball, the defender tries to block the shot.↗ · She was a defender of animals and their rights.↗ · The defender tackled the striker cleanly.↗ · When someone is being teased, be a defender, not a bystander.↗ · The city's defenders held out for a week.↗ · Defenders must stay close to the players they mark.↗ · He is her helper and defender.↗

defensible — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: Able to be defended or justified as reasonable.↗ Example: must not be confused with Zain, Z ; and lastly Qoph, Q is very often replaced by K, which is hardly defensible as there is a true K in addition. '↗ 44.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗

defensive — Everyday, meaning 1: Defensive means used or made to protect against attack (a defensive wall).↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A defensive person reacts as if being criticised or attacked, and tries to protect themselves.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: In sport, defensive means about stopping the other team from scoring.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Fighting on the defensive means only protecting yourself and not attacking.↗ Example: The castle had thick defensive walls.↗ · The hedgehog's spines are a defensive feature.↗ · He gets defensive when you say his room is messy.↗ · She is a strong defensive player.↗ · The team was on the defensive for most of the game.↗ · Don't be defensive; I'm only trying to help.↗ · A porcupine has a defensive way of raising its quills.↗ · Man to man they were the stronger; but they fought on the defensive only, which enabled the boys to hunt in pairs and choose their quarry.↗

defer — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) To put off something until later; to delay: the meeting was deferred until next week.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (formal) Defer to: to accept someone else's opinion or decision because you respect them or they know more.↗ e.g. I defer to your experience.↗ Example: (formal) The trip has been deferred because of the snow.↗ · The decision was deferred until all the parents had replied.↗ · On matters of football, I defer to my brother.↗ · (formal) Payment may be deferred until the end of the month.↗ · She deferred her university place for a year.↗ · (formal) Subsequently, the match was deferred to the following Saturday.↗ · As the hunchback was one of the Sultan's private jesters, the chief of police resolved to defer sentence of death until he had consulted his master.↗ · And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter.↗ (Torah GEN.34.19, JPS 1917)↗ · Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.↗ (Writings PRO.13.12, JPS 1917)↗ · When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou vowest.↗ (Writings ECC.5.3, JPS 1917)↗ · For My name's sake will I defer Mine anger, and for My praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.↗ (Prophets ISA.48.9, JPS 1917)↗

deference — Everyday, meaning 1: Polite respect shown to someone by accepting their opinion or wishes, often because they are older, wiser or more important.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (phrase) «In deference to» means out of respect for someone or something.↗ Example: The children spoke to the old chief with great deference.↗ · In deference to Gran, we turned the music down.↗ · He nodded with deference when the judge spoke.↗ · The flags were lowered in deference to those who had died.↗ · She treats her coach with deference.↗ · Out of deference to the teacher, the class stood up when she came in.↗ · When he saw that I observed him he saluted me with great deference.↗ · Nonetheless, English translators have usually shied away from the this-worldly symbolism of the ‘Holy Wind’, much preferring immaterial ‘Spirit’ either out of theological embarrassment or deference to tradition.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)↗

deferential — Everyday, meaning 1: Showing great respect and politeness to someone, often by agreeing with them or letting them decide: «a deferential bow».↗ Example: The butler was deferential to everyone in the house.↗ · She spoke in a deferential tone to the head teacher.↗ · The knights gave a deferential bow to the queen.↗ · The young doctor was too deferential to question the surgeon's mistake.↗ · In some cultures, children are expected to be deferential to older relatives.↗ · His deferential manner made the visitors feel important.↗

deferral — Everyday, meaning 1: (formal) The act of putting something off until a later time; a delay that is allowed: «the deferral of the exam».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (formal) An official permission to start something later, such as a place at university or school.↗ Example: Sophie asked for a deferral of her university place for a year.↗ · The bank allowed a deferral of the loan payments.↗ · The school agreed to a deferral of the test because so many pupils were ill.↗ · A deferral is not the same as a cancellation.↗ · His deferral was granted, so he can start next term.↗ · The council announced a deferral of the building work.↗

defiance — Everyday, meaning 1: Defiance is bold refusal to obey, or open resistance to someone in power.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A look of defiance shows you will not give in.↗ Example: The child stood up to the bully in defiance.↗ · She gave her teacher a look of defiance.↗ · He refused to tidy his room, in open defiance of Mum.↗

defiant — Everyday, meaning 1: Defiant means openly refusing to obey or to do what you are told.↗ e.g. "a defiant child folded his arms".↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Defiant can also mean bravely standing up to something stronger.↗ e.g. "a defiant shout against the storm".↗ Example: The defiant boy refused to tidy his room.↗ · She gave the bully a defiant stare.↗ · "I won't!" she said in a defiant voice.↗ · The defiant soldiers would not surrender.↗ · The cat looked defiant as it knocked the cup off the table.↗ · Despite losing, the team stayed defiant to the end.↗

defiantly — Everyday, meaning 1: Defiantly means in a way that shows you refuse to obey or are openly standing up against someone or something.↗ Example: The boy folded his arms and stared defiantly at the bully.↗ · «I won't go!» she said defiantly.↗ · The little flag waved defiantly in the storm.↗ · The prisoners sang defiantly in their cells.↗ · He defiantly refused to tidy his room.↗ · The tree stood defiantly after the hurricane.↗

defibrillator — Everyday, meaning 1: A machine that gives an electric shock to the chest to make a heart that has stopped beating properly start a normal rhythm again.↗ Example: There is a defibrillator outside the leisure centre.↗ · The defibrillator talks and tells you what to do.↗ · Call an ambulance and send someone to get the defibrillator.↗ · Doctors use a defibrillator to restart a heart's rhythm.↗ · Our school has a defibrillator in the office.↗ · You must not touch the person while the defibrillator gives a shock.↗

deficiency — Everyday, meaning 1: A deficiency is a lack of something that is needed, not having enough of it.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A deficiency is a weakness or fault in something.↗ Example: Lack of sunlight can cause vitamin D deficiency.↗ · Sailors once had scurvy from a vitamin C deficiency.↗ · Iron deficiency can make you tired.↗ · (formal) The report pointed out deficiencies in the plan.↗ · There is a deficiency of 20 chairs for the concert.↗ · Eating many kinds of food helps prevent deficiencies.↗ · Poor Jason was greatly abashed, and made up his mind that the people of Iolchos were exceedingly ill-bred, to take such public notice of an accidental deficiency in his dress.↗