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Backing vs Defence - What's the difference?

backing | defence |

As nouns the difference between backing and defence

is that backing is support, especially financial while defence is the action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.

As verbs the difference between backing and defence

is that backing is while defence is (obsolete|transitive) to furnish with defences; to fortify.

As an adjective backing

is (music) that which provides support for the main performer.

backing

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Support, especially financial.
    • It's a volunteer organization that works with backing from the city and a few grants.
  • A liner or other material added behind or underneath.
    • The cardboard backing gives the notebook a little extra stiffness.
  • (music) Musicians and vocalists who support the main performer

    • Adjective

    (-)
  • (music) That which provides support for the main performer

    • Verb

    (head)

    • 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 .