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undefendable

 - 3 dictionary results

de⋅fend

  [di-fend]
Use undefendable in a Sentence
–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

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.

Antonyms:
1. attack.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

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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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: de·fend
Function: transitive verb
1 : to drive danger or attack away from defend oneself>
2 : to act as attorney for (a defendant) defend the accused>
3 : to deny or oppose the rights of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or claim) defend the case> intransitive verb 1 : to take action against attack or challenge defend>
2 : to present a defense defend on grounds of insanity —W. Railroad LaFave and A. W. Scott, Junior>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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