defense (redirected from Defense mechanisms)

defense /de·fense/ (de-fens´) behavior directed to protection of the individual from injury.

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character defense  any character trait, e.g., a mannerism, attitude, or affectation, which serves as a defense mechanism.

insanity defense  a legal concept that a person cannot be convicted of a crime if he lacked criminal responsibility by reason of insanity at the time of commission of the crime.

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de·fense (d-fns)

n.

A means or method that helps protect the body or mind, as against disease or anxiety.

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de·fensive (-fnsv) adj.

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defense,

n the reasons, in law or fact, offered by the defendant in a legal proceeding as to why the plaintiff should not prevail.

defense cell,

n See cell, defense.

defense mechanism,

n an unconscious, intrapsychic reaction that offers protection to the self from threatening or stressful situations. Defense mechanisms may be useful to diminish anxiety and facilitate coping behaviors, or may be harmful because of denying, displacing, isolating, or repressing anxiety and preventing useful coping responses.

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defense

1. against infection, including hematological and immunological systems.

2. behavior directed to protection of the individual from injury.

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defense mechanisms

means by which the host repels invading organisms; externally, these include the barrier provided by the skin and epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary and respiratory tracts, together with their secretions and normal microflora, and internally, phagocytic cells, humoral and cellular immunity.

defense reaction

the physiological reaction to emotional stress, particularly fear, includes tachycardia, increased cardiac output, vasodilation in skeletal muscle, elevation of blood pressure. Behavioral responses include alerting and aggressive behavior.