2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Vindicate  \Vin"di*cate\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Vindicated};  p. 
  pr  &  vb  n.  {Vindicating}.]  [L.  vindicatus  p.  p.  of 
  vindicare  to  lay  claim  to  defend,  avenge.  See  {Vengeance}.] 
  1.  To  lay  claim  to  to  assert  a  right  to  to  claim.  [R.] 
 
  Is  thine  alone  the  seed  that  strews  the  plain?  The 
  birds  of  heaven  shall  vindicate  their  grain.  --Pope. 
 
  2.  To  maintain  or  defend  with  success;  to  prove  to  be  valid; 
  to  assert  convincingly;  to  sustain  against  assault;  as  to 
  vindicate  a  right  claim,  or  title. 
 
  3.  To  support  or  maintain  as  true  or  correct,  against  denial, 
  censure,  or  objections;  to  defend;  to  justify. 
 
  When  the  respondent  denies  any  proposition,  the 
  opponent  must  directly  vindicate  .  .  .  that 
  proposition.  --I.  Watts. 
 
  Laugh  where  we  must  be  candid  where  we  can,  But 
  vindicate  the  ways  of  God  to  man.  --Pope. 
 
  4.  To  maintain,  as  a  law  or  a  cause  by  overthrowing  enemies. 
  --Milton. 
 
  5.  To  liberate;  to  set  free  to  deliver.  [Obs.] 
 
  I  am  confident  he  deserves  much  more  That  vindicates 
  his  country  from  a  tyrant  Than  he  that  saves  a 
  citizen.  --Massinger. 
 
  6.  To  avenge;  to  punish;  as  a  war  to  vindicate  or  punish 
  infidelity.  [Obs.]  --Bacon. 
 
  God  is  more  powerful  to  exact  subjection  and  to 
  vindicate  rebellion.  --Bp.  Pearson. 
 
  Syn:  To  assert;  maintain;  claim.  See  {Assert}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  vindicate 
  v  :  show  to  be  right  [syn:  {justify}] 

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