— defendable , adj. — defender , n.
/di fend"/ , v.t.
1. to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually fol. by from or against ): The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.
2. to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold: She defended her claim successfully.
3. to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).
4. Law. to serve as attorney for (a defendant): He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.
5. to support (an argument, theory, etc.) in the face of criticism; prove the validity of (a dissertation, thesis, or the like) by answering arguments and questions put by a committee of specialists.
6. to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger.
v.i.
7. Law. to enter or make a defense.
[ 1200-50; ME defenden defendre defendere to ward off, equiv. to de- DE- + -fendere to strike ]
Syn. 1. shelter, screen, shield; garrison, fortify. DEFEND, GUARD, PRESERVE, PROTECT all mean to keep safe. To DEFEND is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To GUARD is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To PRESERVE is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a single instance or continuously: to preserve a spirit of conciliation. To PROTECT is to keep safe by interposing a shield or barrier: to protect books by means of heavy paper covers. 2. vindicate.
Ant. 1. attack.