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Alibi vs Defence - What's the difference?

alibi | defence |

As nouns the difference between alibi and defence

is that alibi is alibi (criminal legal defense where someone tries to prove that he was in another place when the act was committed) while defence is the action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.

As a verb defence is

(obsolete|transitive) to furnish with defences; to fortify.

alibi

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (legal) The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove being in another place when the alleged act was committed; as, to set up an alibi; to prove an alibi.
  • * 1988 , Criminal Law Deskbook , ISBN 0820512176:
    • Alibi is different from all of the other defenses . . . it is based upon the premise that the defendant is truly innocent.
  • An excuse, especially one used to avoid responsibility or blame.

    • Derived terms

    * Alibi Ike * watertight alibi

    Verb

    (es)
  • To provide an for.
  • To provide an excuse for.

    • See also

    * (projectlink) * * (projectlink) * (projectlink) ----

    defence

    English

    Alternative forms

    * defense (US )

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
  • * Shakespeare
    • In cases of defence 'tis best to weigh / The enemy more mighty than he seems.
  • Something used to oppose attack(s).
  • * 1592—1609 , , Sonnet XII:
    • And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence
    Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
  • An argument in support or justification of something.
  • * 1592—1609 , , Sonnet LXXXIX:
    • Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,
    Against thy reasons making no defence .
  • A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
  • The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
  • Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
    • Department of Defence
  • Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
  • * Sir W. Temple
    • Severe defences against wearing any linen under a certain breadth.

    Synonyms

    * See

    Antonyms

    * offence (Commonwealth), offense (US)

    Derived terms

    * antidefence, antidefense * ecodefence, ecodefense * Nuremberg defence, Nuremberg defense * defensive * defensiveness

    Verb

    (defenc)
  • (obsolete) To furnish with defences; to fortify.
  • * Hales:
    • Better manned and more strongly defenced .