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Synonyms
defend - 5 dictionary results
de⋅fend
[di-fend] 
–verb (used with object)
| 1. | to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually fol. by from or against): The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack. |
| 2. | to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold: She defended her claim successfully. |
| 3. | to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.). |
| 4. | Law. to serve as attorney for (a defendant): He has defended some of the most notorious criminals. |
| 5. | to support (an argument, theory, etc.) in the face of criticism; prove the validity of (a dissertation, thesis, or the like) by answering arguments and questions put by a committee of specialists. |
| 6. | to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger. |
–verb (used without object)
| 7. | Law. to enter or make a defense. |
Origin:
1200–50; ME defenden < OF defendre < L dēfendere to ward off, equiv. to dē- de- + -fendere to strike
1200–50; ME defenden < OF defendre < L dēfendere to ward off, equiv. to dē- de- + -fendere to strike
Related forms:
de⋅fend⋅a⋅ble, adjective
de⋅fend⋅er, noun
Synonyms:
1. shelter, screen, shield; garrison, fortify. Defend, guard, preserve, protect all mean to keep safe. To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To preserve is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a single instance or continuously: to preserve a spirit of conciliation. To protect is to keep safe by interposing a shield or barrier: to protect books by means of heavy paper covers. 2. vindicate.
1. shelter, screen, shield; garrison, fortify. Defend, guard, preserve, protect all mean to keep safe. To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To preserve is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a single instance or continuously: to preserve a spirit of conciliation. To protect is to keep safe by interposing a shield or barrier: to protect books by means of heavy paper covers. 2. vindicate.
Antonyms:
1. attack.
1. attack.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To defend
| de·fend (dĭ-fěnd') v. de·fend·ed, de·fend·ing, de·fends v. tr.
[Middle English defenden, from Old French defendre, from Latin dēfendere, to ward off; see gwhen- in Indo-European roots.] de·fend'a·ble adj., de·fend'er n. Synonyms: These verbs mean to make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm. Defend implies repelling an attack: defending her territory; defended his reputation. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Defend
De*fend"\, 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. ? 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. --Spenser. 2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] --Chaucer. 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. The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city. --Shak. God defend the right! --Shak. A village near it was defended by the river. --Clarendon. 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. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it. --Is. xxxi. 5. Leave not the faithful side That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects. --Milton.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : defend
Spanish:
defender,
German:
verteidigen,
Japanese:
守る
defend
c.1250, from O.Fr. defendre, from L. defendere "ward off, protect," from de- "from, away" + fendere "to strike, push." In the Mercian hymns, L. defendet is glossed by O.E. gescildeð. Defendant is from O.Fr. prp of defendre.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: de·fend
Function: transitive verb
1 : to drive danger or attack away from
2 : to act as attorney for (a defendant)
3 : to deny or oppose the rights of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or claim)
2 : to present a defense
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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