See Also: defend(dictionary)
defend(dictionary)

defend (iou)



defend verb. ME.
[Old & mod. French defendre from Latin defendere ward off, protect, from de- DE- 1 + -fendere (as in offendere OFFEND).]
I. verb trans. Ward off, avert. ME-E19.
verb trans. Prevent, hinder; keep from doing something. ME-M17.
verb trans. Prohibit, forbid. arch. ME.
II.
verb trans. Ward off an attack on; fight for the safety of; protect from or against assault or injury; keep safe. ME.
P. Holland Trees..defended and clad with thick leaued branches. F. Fitzgerald Defending the airport against enemy attack.
b. Sports & Games. Protect (a wicket etc.) from the ball; resist an attack on (a goal etc.). M18.
verb trans. Uphold by argument, vindicate; speak or write in favour of. ME.
J. Priestley I am far from pretending..to defend this passage of Iren?us.
b. Maintain (a contested statement); contend (that). L15-E17.
verb intrans. Resist an attack; put up a defence. M16.
Toronto Sun Champion Hulla Hogan defending against Randy (Macho Man) Savage. Guardian Mabbutt..proved his all-round qualities..by defending well and heading England's first goal.
III. (Orig. from branch I, later also from II.)
verb trans. & intrans. Law. Deny the truth of (an allegation against oneself); present a defence of (oneself, one's cause); represent (a defendant) as legal counsel. LME.
L. Steffens He was defended by three attorneys of high repute in criminal jurisprudence.
Phrases: God defend, heaven defend arch. may God or heaven forbid or prevent it.
defendable adjective LME.