defend : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: defend	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for defend
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
defend v argue or speak in defense of; "She supported the motion to strike" Synonym(s): defend, support, fend for be on the defensive; act against an attack Antonym(s): assail, attack protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks" Synonym(s): defend, guard, hold fight against or resist strongly; "The senator said he would oppose the bill"; "Don't fight it!" Synonym(s): fight, oppose, fight back, fight down, defend protect or fight for as a champion Synonym(s): champion, defend be the defense counsel for someone in a trial; "Ms. Smith will represent the defendant" Synonym(s): defend, represent Antonym(s): prosecute state or assert; "He maintained his innocence" Synonym(s): maintain, defend
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Defend \Defend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Defending}.] [F. d[82]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.