[vin.di.cate] vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing [L vindicatus, pp. of vindicare to lay claim to, avenge, fr. vindic-, vindex claimant, avenger] (1570) 1 obs: 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 syn see exculpate, maintain -- vin.di.ca.tor n