self defence

/ˌsɛlfdɪˈfɛns/
noun
  1. The act of protecting yourself, your property, or others from physical harm, especially through legal or physical means.
    • The law allows you to use reasonable force in self-defence if someone attacks you.
    • He claimed he acted in self-defence when he pushed the attacker away.
    • She took a self-defence class to learn how to protect herself in dangerous situations.
What does "self defence" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean