defence mechanism (

  • 1defence mechanism — defence mechanisms N COUNT A defence mechanism is a way of behaving or thinking which is not conscious or deliberate and is an automatic reaction to unpleasant experiences or feelings such as anxiety and fear …

    English dictionary

  • 2Defence mechanism — For the biological concept, see Antipredator adaptation. Part of a series of articles on Psychoanalysis …

    Wikipedia

  • 3defence mechanism — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms defence mechanism : singular defence mechanism plural defence mechanisms 1) a reaction in your mind that makes you forget things that are unpleasant to think about 2) a reaction in your body that protects you… …

    English dictionary

  • 4defence mechanism — noun (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires • Syn: ↑defense mechanism, ↑defense reaction, ↑defence reaction, ↑defense, ↑defence • Topics: ↑psychia …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 5defence mechanism — de fence .mechanism BrE defense mechanism AmE n 1.) a process in your brain that makes you forget things that are painful for you to think about 2.) a reaction in your body that protects you from an illness or danger …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 6defence mechanism — the means whereby an undesirable impulse can be avoided or controlled. Many defence mechanisms have been described, including repression, projection, reaction formation, sublimation, and splitting. They may be partly responsible for such problems …

    Medical dictionary

  • 7defence mechanism — BrE, defense mechanism AmE noun (C) 1 a process in your brain that makes you forget things that are painful for you to think about 2 a reaction in your body that protects you from an illness or danger …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 8defence mechanism — the means whereby an undesirable impulse can be avoided or controlled. Many defence mechanisms have been described, including repression, projection, reaction formation, sublimation, and splitting. They may be partly responsible for such problems …

    The new mediacal dictionary

  • 9Defence mechanism (biology) — Many plants and animals have developed physical defence mechanisms (American English). (British spelling; defense mechanisms)AnimalsGrazing animals often feed in herds. When a predator attacks, the animals in different directions, often confusing …

    Wikipedia

  • 10defence mechanism — Unconscious psychological mechanisms, delineated by Sigmund Freud , that the ego uses to defend the individual from unacceptable instinctual impulses which must be hidden from consciousness. Best known are repression and projection ; others… …

    Dictionary of sociology