character defense: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; primarily used in written contexts, legal discussions, psychology, and literary criticism.
Quick answer
What does “character defense” mean?
The act of defending or protecting one's reputation, integrity, or personal qualities against criticism or accusations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of defending or protecting one's reputation, integrity, or personal qualities against criticism or accusations.
1) The act of speaking or acting to uphold the moral standing of a person; 2) In legal or formal contexts, the presentation of arguments or evidence to protect someone's reputation from damage; 3) In psychoanalysis or psychology, a process where an individual protects their sense of self from perceived threats.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'character defence' (UK) vs. 'character defense' (US). No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a formal, sometimes legalistic or psychological connotation.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties; more likely encountered in specialised texts than everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “character defense” in a Sentence
[Subject] mounts/launches a character defence of [Object/Person]A character defence against [Accusation/Criticism]To come to the character defence of [Person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “character defense” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She felt compelled to defend her colleague's character during the inquiry.
- He is always defending his brother's character, no matter the evidence.
American English
- The lawyer moved to defend her client's character vigorously.
- Politicians frequently defend their own character when attacked in debates.
adverb
British English
- He spoke character-defensively throughout the interview.
- She argued character-defensively, focusing solely on his virtues.
American English
- The witness responded character-defensively to the prosecutor's line of questioning.
- He writes character-defensively about historical figures he admires.
adjective
British English
- His character-defence statement was eloquent but failed to convince the panel.
- The article had a strongly character-defence tone.
American English
- She offered a character-defense argument that highlighted his philanthropy.
- The biography is surprisingly character-defense in its approach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of corporate reputation management or executive ethics.
Academic
Common in psychology (ego defence mechanisms), literary criticism (defence of a fictional character's actions), and legal studies.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Might be paraphrased as 'sticking up for someone'.
Technical
Used in psychoanalytic theory (e.g., 'character defence mechanisms').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “character defense”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “character defense”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “character defense”
- Using it to mean 'self-defence' (physical protection).
- Misspelling 'defence/defense'.
- Using it in overly casual contexts where a simpler phrase is better.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal phrase. In everyday situations, people say things like 'stick up for someone' or 'defend someone's reputation'.
'Character defence' is about protecting one's reputation or moral standing through words or arguments. 'Self-defence' refers to physically protecting oneself from harm.
Not directly. The verb form is 'to defend [someone's] character'. The noun phrase 'character defence' is used to label the act itself.
No, 'character defence' (UK) and 'character defense' (US) are spelling variants of the same term with identical meanings.
The act of defending or protecting one's reputation, integrity, or personal qualities against criticism or accusations.
Character defense is usually formal; primarily used in written contexts, legal discussions, psychology, and literary criticism. in register.
Character defense: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkær.ək.tə dɪˈfens/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈker.ək.tɚ dɪˈfens/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To leap to someone's defence”
- “To stand up for someone”
- “To put in a good word for someone”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a knight's shield protecting a 'character' in a story. The shield is the 'defence' for their good name.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPUTATION IS A FORTRESS (that must be defended); CHARACTER IS AN OBJECT (that can be attacked or shielded).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'character defence' used as a technical term?