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]
|