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more about defended
defended |
1 definition 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.
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