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vindicate |
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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