A defender taken thus is disconcerted (5)

I believe the answer is:

aback

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'taken thus is disconcerted' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'a defender' is the wordplay.
'defender' becomes 'back' (I've seen this before).
'a'+'back'='ABACK'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aback that I've seen before include "Towards the rear (arch.)" , "Sternwards" , "To take someone -- is to surprise them" , "dismayed to be taken thus?" , "(Taken) by surprise" .)

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