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Caution vs Defence - What's the difference?

caution | defence |

As nouns the difference between caution and defence

is that caution is precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction while defence is the action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.

As verbs the difference between caution and defence

is that caution is to warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted while defence is (obsolete|transitive) to furnish with defences; to fortify.

caution

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.
  • * Shakespeare
    • In way of caution I must tell you.
  • A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided; prudence in regard to danger; provident care; wariness.
  • Security; guaranty; bail.
  • * Clarendon
    • The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be prosecuted.
  • One who gives rise to attention or astonishment.
    • Oh, that boy, he's a caution ! He does make me laugh.
  • A formal warning given as an alternative to prosecution in minor cases.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * err on the side of caution * throw caution to the wind

    Related terms

    * cautionary * cautious * caveat * precaution

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.

    • Anagrams

    * ----

    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 .