DEFEND • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Defend

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/dɪfˈɛnd/ Listen

verb

Defend v. t. (past & past part. defended; pres. part. defending)

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."

2.

To prohibit; to forbid. (Obs.) "Which God defend that I should wring from him."

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." "God defend the right!" "A village near it was defended by the river."

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.

Synonyms: To Defend, Protect. 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." "Leave not the faithful side That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects."

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Etymology of 'Defend'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Defend" Quotes from Famous Books

... critical situation was found. Patara and Kereopa, with their band of fanatics, had just arrived (though not with Mr. Grace) within a few miles of the bishop's residence. A small army of 400 Maoris was drawn up in battle array to defend the bishop, but their minds were divided, and their hearts were faint. Selwyn's exhortations had little effect, but he obtained the help of two loyal Maoris, who undertook to assist in ...

— A History of the English Church in New Zealand • Henry Thomas Purchas

... and ministers of grace defend us!— Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damn'd, Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell, Be thy intents wicked or charitable, Thou com'st in such a questionable shape That I will speak to thee: I'll call thee Hamlet, King, father, royal Dane; O, answer me! Let me not burst ...

— Hamlet, Prince of Denmark • William Shakespeare [Collins edition]

... victim forward, where he believed they might act the cruel revels he contemplated with less danger of interruption. Already irritated by the laughs which had been created at their expense, and resolute to defend their comrade the marines resisted. A long, clamorous, and angry dispute succeeded, during which each party maintained its right to pursue the course it had adopted. From words the disputants were not long in passing to the signs of hostilities. ...

— The Red Rover • James Fenimore Cooper

... order of his monarch, he has not only no appeal, as those in society ought to have, but as if he were degraded from the common state of rational creatures, is denied a liberty to judge of, or to defend his right; and so is exposed to all the misery and inconveniencies, that a man can fear from one, who being in the unrestrained state of nature, is yet corrupted with flattery, and armed with power. (*To take away all such mutual grievances, injuries and wrongs, i.e. such as attend men ...

— Two Treatises of Government • John Locke

... Snowden!" warned the Circus Boy, stepping out of harm's way. "I am not looking for trouble, but I shall defend myself." ...

— The Circus Boys on the Plains • Edgar B. P. Darlington

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