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mechanism

noun [C] (BEHAVIOUR)
 
 
/ˈmek.ə.nɪ.zəm/

Definition

a part of your behaviour that helps you to deal with a difficult situation: She's actually rather insecure, and her rudeness is just a defence mechanism.Acting and actsDealing with things or people
(Definition of mechanism noun (BEHAVIOUR) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
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