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| de·fense mech·a·nism (plural de·fense mech·a·nisms) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. protective mental activity: any means of avoiding emotional distress, destructive impulses, or a threat to self-esteem, especially the suppression of unwanted thoughts or memories
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2. protective physical activity: a natural protective response to danger or attack used by an organism, e.g. when faced with a predator or invaded by a disease agent
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