defense mechanism

English

Alternative forms

• defence mechanism

Etymology

Calque of German Abwehrmechanismus, a concept in the Freudian model.

Noun

defense mechanism (plural defense mechanisms) (American spelling)

1. (psychology) A psychological strategy used unconsciously by people to cope with harmful or stressful situations.
2. (evolutionary theory) An automatic reaction of the body against foreign antibodies.

Translations

psychological strategy

• Catalan: mecanisme de defensa (ca) m
• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 自我防衛機制／自我防卫机制 (zìwǒ fángwèi jīzhì), 心理防禦機制／心理防御机制 (xīnlǐ fángyù jīzhì)

• Finnish: puolustusmekanismi
• French: mécanisme de défense m
• German: Abwehrmechanismus (de) m
• Korean: 방어기제(防禦機制) (bang'eogije)
• Russian: защи́тный механи́зм m (zaščítnyj mexanízm)
• Spanish: mecanismo de defensa m
• Turkish: savunma mekanizması (tr)

reaction of the body

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 防禦機制／防御机制 (fángyù jīzhì)

• Finnish: puolustusmekanismi
• Russian: защи́тный механи́зм m (zaščítnyj mexanízm)
• Turkish: savunma mekanizması (tr)