"I felt defenceless at the time, like there was nothing I could do.
Unpredictability is largely discomforting as it jeopardizes our sense of control on the world, making us feel defenceless.
The Australian teenager who was teargassed by guards while locked in a cell and then strapped into a restraint chair by his ankles, wrist and neck, felt "defenceless" and panicked during the ordeals, he told a national inquiry in Darwin on Monday.
Behind him, a bleating pen of sheep, defenceless to slaughter.
The constant warfare depleted the Empire's armies, devastated Asia Minor and left it defenceless to the increasing encroachment of the Turks.
"Some of the nerve agents are not visible and do not have an odour, so – as you can imagine – one can feel quite defenceless against such a weapon".
Meanwhile the civilians of Darfur and other battered parts of Sudan will feel even more defenceless than before.
Behindism is the requirement forced on defenceless reporters to refer to the scene behind them, indicating it with a jerk of the thumb or other appropriate gesture.
For the powerful to lash out at the defenceless (say, to relieve strong feelings) is frightening, whether the violence is verbal or physical.
Laughing is a very exposing, defenceless thing to do, so you have to be a bit vulnerable onstage to let them know it's OK.
