v.
Pronunciation: ' vin-d ə - ˌ k ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -cat · ed ; -cat · ing
Etymology: Latin vindicatus, past participle of vindicare to lay claim to, avenge, from vindic-, vindex claimant, avenger
Date: circa 1571
1 obsolete : to set free : DELIVER
2 : AVENGE
3 a : to free from allegation or blame b (1) : CONFIRM , SUBSTANTIATE (2) : to provide justification or defense for : JUSTIFY c : to protect from attack or encroachment : DEFEND
4 : to maintain a right to
synonyms see EXCULPATE , MAINTAIN
– vin · di · ca · tor \ - ˌ k ā -t ə r \ noun