About The Word Defend
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Learn about the word Defend to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Defend definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.
Defend
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Defend Definition And Meaning |
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What's The Definition Of Defend?
[v] protect or fight for as a champion
[v] argue or speak in defense of; "She supported the motion to strike" [v] state or assert; "He maintained his innocence" [v] fight against or resist strongly; "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don't fight it!" [v] be on the defensive; act against an attack [v] protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks" [v] be the defense counsel for someone in a trial; "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant" Synonyms | Synonyms for Defend: champion | fend for | fight | fight back | fight down | guard | hold | maintain | oppose | represent | support Related Terms | Find terms related to Defend: account | advocate | air | allege in support | answer | argue | argue for | arm | armor | assert | avert | back | battle | bless | bulwark | champion | claim | cloak | compass about | conserve | contend | contend for | copyright | counter | cover | cushion | ensure | espouse | explain | express | fence | fend | fend off | fight | fight for | flank | fortify | guarantee | guard | guard against | harbor | haven | insure | justify | keep | keep from harm | keep safe | maintain | make a plea | make safe | nestle | oppose | parry | patent | plead for | police | preserve | prevent | protect | rationalize | rebut | refute | register | reply | resist | respond | ride shotgun for | riposte | safeguard | save | say in defense | screen | secure | shelter | shield | shroud | speak for | speak up for | stand by | stand up for | stick up for | support | sustain | underwrite | uphold | urge reasons for | utter | vent | vindicate | voice | war | ward | ward off | warrant | watch over | withstand See Also | affirm | apologise | apologize | argue | arrest | back | bulwark | check | contain | drive back | endorse | excuse | fend | fight off | hold back | hold out | justify | keep | plump for | plunk for | prevent | protect | rationalise | rationalize | reason | rebuff | recalcitrate | repel | repulse | resist | stand | stand firm | stand up | stick up | stop | struggle | support | turn back | uphold | vindicate | ward off | withstand Defend In Webster's Dictionary \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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