vindicate

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Vindicated p. pr. & vb. n. Vindicating. ] [ L. vindicatus, p. p. of vindicare to lay claim to, defend, avenge. See Vengeance. ] 1. To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain?
The birds of heaven shall vindicate their grain. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To maintain or defend with success; to prove to be valid; to assert convincingly; to sustain against assault; as, to vindicate a right, claim, or title. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To support or maintain as true or correct, against denial, censure, or objections; to defend; to justify. [ 1913 Webster ]

When the respondent denies any proposition, the opponent must directly vindicate . . . that proposition. I. Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Laugh where we must, be candid where we can,
But vindicate the ways of God to man. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To maintain, as a law or a cause, by overthrowing enemies. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To liberate; to set free; to deliver. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I am confident he deserves much more
That vindicates his country from a tyrant
Than he that saves a citizen. Massinger. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To avenge; to punish; as, a war to vindicate or punish infidelity. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

God is more powerful to exact subjection and to vindicate rebellion. Bp. Pearson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To assert; maintain; claim. See Assert. [ 1913 Webster ]