Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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}.