2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Defend \De*fend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defended}; p. pr & vb
n. {Defending}.] [F. d['e]fendre, L. defendere; de- + fendere
(only in comp.) to strike; perh. akin to Gr ? to strike, and
E. dint. Cf {Dint}, {Defense}, {Fend}.]
1. To ward or fend off to drive back or away to repel. [A
Latinism & Obs.]
Th' other strove for to defend The force of Vulcan
with his might and main. --Spenser.
2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Which God defend that I should wring from him
--Shak.
3. To repel danger or harm from to protect; to secure
against; attack; to maintain against force or argument; to
uphold; to guard; as to defend a town; to defend a cause
to defend character; to defend the absent; -- sometimes
followed by from or against; as to defend one's self
from or against, one's enemies.
The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city.
--Shak.
God defend the right! --Shak.
A village near it was defended by the river.
--Clarendon.
4. (Law.) To deny the right of the plaintiff in regard to
(the suit, or the wrong charged); to oppose or resist, as
a claim at law; to contest, as a suit. --Burrill.
Syn: To {Defend}, {Protect}.
Usage: To defend is literally to ward off to protect is to
cover so as to secure against approaching danger. We
defend those who are attacked; we protect those who
are liable to injury or invasion. A fortress is
defended by its guns, and protected by its wall.
As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts
defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver
it --Is. xxxi. 5.
Leave not the faithful side That gave thee
being still shades thee and protects. --Milton.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
defending
adj : (games or sports) attempting to or designed to prevent an
opponent from winning or scoring
more about defending
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