defend

[De*fend·]

Defend has different shades of meaning, but it always has the sense of protecting something your ideas, for instance, or your title as world heavyweight champion.

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To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel.

Verb
argue or speak in defense of; "She supported the motion to strike"

Verb
state or assert; "He maintained his innocence"

Verb
fight against or resist strongly; "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don''t fight it!"

Verb
be on the defensive; act against an attack

Verb
protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy''s attacks"

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Verb
protect or fight for as a champion

Verb
be the defense counsel for someone in a trial; "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant"

v. t.
To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel.

v. t.
To prohibit; to forbid.

v. t.
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.

v. t.
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.

Defend

De*fend" , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defended; p. pr. & vb. n. Defending.] [F. d'82fendre, L. defendere; de- + fendere (only in comp.) to strike; perh. akin to Gr. 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.]

Th' other strove for to defend The force of Vulcan with his might and main.

2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] Chaucer.

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. 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.

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.

To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel.

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Usage Examples

Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.

I am also hugely excited to then be competing to defend my three Paralympic titles at the Paralympic Games. I believe we will see some amazing times posted and I am very much looking forward to what will be an incredible Olympics and Paralympics in London.

I can't believe the pro-choicers attitude toward unborn children-to me it's the ultimate liberal cause, to defend those without a voice.

Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.

As we look forward to freedom, the shining city on the hill and the best days of America lying ahead, it is the men and women in uniform who protect, defend and make us proud to whom we should look and give thanks every night.

Anyone can support a team that is winning - it takes no courage. But to stand behind a team to defend a team when it is down and really needs you, that takes a lot of courage.

Misspelled Form

defend, sdefend, edefend, fdefend, xdefend, cdefend, sefend, eefend, fefend, xefend, cefend, dsefend, deefend, dfefend, dxefend, dcefend, dwefend, d3efend, d4efend, drefend, dsefend, ddefend, dwfend, d3fend, d4fend, drfend, dsfend, ddfend, dewfend, de3fend, de4fend, derfend, desfend, dedfend, dedfend, derfend, detfend, degfend, devfend, decfend, dedend, derend, detend, degend, devend, decend, defdend, defrend, deftend, defgend, defvend, defcend, defwend, def3end, def4end, defrend, defsend, defdend, defwnd, def3nd, def4nd, defrnd, defsnd, defdnd, defewnd, defe3nd, defe4nd, defernd, defesnd, defednd, defebnd, defehnd, defejnd, defemnd, defe nd, defebd, defehd, defejd, defemd, defe d, defenbd, defenhd, defenjd, defenmd, defen d, defensd, defened, defenfd, defenxd, defencd, defens, defene, defenf, defenx, defenc, defends, defende, defendf, defendx, defendc.

Other Usage Examples

Bulls can do nothing to demand justice. They can only defend themselves as best they can in a fight with a pre-determined ending and die never knowing why they were forced to endure such a painful and prolonged death. It's up to us, as a civilized society, to call for an end to the Running of the Bulls and bullfighting.

At issue in the Hiss Case was the question whether this sick society, which we call Western civilization, could in its extremity still cast up a man whose faith in it was so great that he would voluntarily abandon those things which men hold good, including life, to defend it.

Growing up, I was taught that a man has to defend his family. When the wolf is trying to get in, you gotta stand in the doorway.

A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.

I believe we should work to end all racism in American society and staunchly defend the inherent rights of every person.

I believe society has a right to defend itself, just as the individual has the right to attack that with which he disagrees.