WARD

noun a division of a forest.

2. ward ·noun a division of a county.

3. ward ·vi to be vigilant; to keep guard.

4. ward ·noun one who, or that which, is guarded.

5. ward ·noun to defend by walls, fortifications, ·etc.

6. ward ·vi to act on the defensive with a weapon.

7. ward ·noun a division of a hospital; as, a fever ward.

8. ward ·noun a division, district, or quarter of a town or city.

9. ward ·noun a guarding or defensive motion or position, as in fencing; guard.

10. ward ·noun to defend; to protect.

11. ward ·noun a minor or person under the care of a guardian; as, a ward in chancery.

12. ward ·noun a notch or slit in a key corresponding to a ridge in the lock which it fits; a ward notch.

13. ward ·noun one who, or that which, guards; garrison; defender; protector; means of guarding; defense; protection.

14. ward ·adj the act of guarding; watch; guard; guardianship; specifically, a guarding during the day. ·see the note under watch, ·noun, 1.

15. ward ·noun the state of being under guard or guardianship; confinement under guard; the condition of a child under a guardian; custody.

xvi. ward ·noun to fend off; to repel; to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches;

— usually followed by off.

xvii. ward ·noun a projecting ridge of metal in the interior of a lock, to prevent the use of any key which has not a corresponding notch for passing it.

xviii. ward ·noun to keep in safety; to watch; to guard; formerly, in a specific sense, to guard during the day time.