■ verb
1》 resist an attack on; protect from harm.
2》 conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit.
3》 attempt to justify.
4》 compete to retain (a title or seat).
5》 (in sport) protect one's goal or wicket rather than attempt to score against one's opponents.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~er noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~re , from L. ~ere , from de- 'off' + -fendere 'to strike'.