Defend

De*fend"

(d*fnd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defended; p. pr. & vb. n. Defending.] [F. dfendre, 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.]
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Th' other strove for to defend
The force of Vulcan with his might and main.

Spenser.
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2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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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.
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The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city.

Shak.
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God defend the right!

Shak.
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A village near it was defended by the river.

Clarendon.
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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. 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.
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As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it.

Is. xxxi. 5.
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Leave not the faithful side
That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects.

Milton.
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Tue 13th April 2021