'Defend' definitions:
Definition of 'defend'
(from WordNet)
verb
verb
verb
Protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks" [syn: defend, guard, hold]
verb
Fight against or resist strongly; "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don't fight it!" [syn: fight, oppose, fight back, fight down, defend]
verb
Protect or fight for as a champion [syn: champion, defend]
verb
Be the defense counsel for someone in a trial; "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant" [syn: defend, represent] [ant: prosecute]
verb
State or assert; "He maintained his innocence" [syn: maintain, defend]
Definition of 'Defend'
From: GCIDE
- Defend \De*fend"\ (d[-e]*f[e^]nd"), 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. qei`nein 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.] [1913 Webster]
- Th' other strove for to defend The force of Vulcan with his might and main. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- God defend the right! --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- A village near it was defended by the river. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it. --Is. xxxi. 5. [1913 Webster]
- Leave not the faithful side That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'defend'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- 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