(ethics, international law, idiomatic) An explanation offered as an excuse for behaving in a criminal or wrongful manner, claiming that one acted in this way because one was ordered by others (particularly superiors) to do so.

(law) A problem with the chain of title to a parcel of real property that exposes the putative owner of the property to a potential legal dispute over the ownership of the property.

A chess opening, a form of Indian Defence, characterised by the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4.

(chess) A chess opening, a form of Indian Defence, characterised by the moves 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+.

(gaming) A special move used to defend against damage. / (gaming) The capacity of a character of defending against damage through special defenses.

(idiomatic) To suddenly lose a contest one seemed very likely to win, especially through mistakes or bad judgment.

(idiomatic) To suddenly win a contest when it appears that loss is a foregone conclusion, to succeed in an endeavor through reversal of fortune, skill, effort, or good judgment.

(economics) That portion of the public sector deficit which exists even when the economy is at potential. Government spending beyond government revenues at times of normal, predictable economic activity, as opposed to a cyclical deficit.

plural of defective number

Alternative spelling of ecodefence