undefended
verb (used with object)
1.
to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed 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.
verb (used without object)
7.
Law. to enter or make a defense.
00:10
Undefended
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Origin:
1200–50; Middle English defenden < Old French defendre < Latin dēfendere to ward off, equivalent to dē- de- + -fendere to strike
1200–50; Middle English defenden < Old French defendre < Latin dēfendere to ward off, equivalent to dē- de- + -fendere to strike
Related forms
de·fend·a·ble, adjective
de·fend·er, noun
pre·de·fend, verb (used with object)
un·de·fend·a·ble, adjective
un·de·fend·a·ble·ness, noun
un·de·fend·a·b·ly, adverb
un·de·fend·ed, adjective
un·de·fend·ing, adjective
well-de·fend·ed, adjective
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. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To undefended
Collins
World English Dictionary
defend (dɪˈfɛnd) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on |
| 2. | (tr) to support in the face of criticism, esp by argument or evidence |
| 3. | to represent (a defendant) in court in a civil or criminal action |
| 4. | sport to guard or protect (oneself, one's goal, etc) against attack |
| 5. | (tr) to protect (a championship or title) against a challenge |
| [C13: from Old French defendre, from Latin dēfendere to ward off, from | |
| de'fendable | |
| —adj | |
| de'fender | |
| —n | |
| undefended (ˌʌndɪˈfɛndɪd) | |
| —adj | |
| not having people to provide resistance against danger, attack, or harm | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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