defend

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Defended; p. pr. & vb. n. Defending. ] [ F. défendre, L. defendere; de- + fendere (only in comp.) to strike; perh. akin to Gr. qei`nein to strike, and E. dint. Cf. Dint, Defense, Fend. ] 1. To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel. [ A Latinism & Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Th' other strove for to defend
The force of Vulcan with his might and main. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To prohibit; to forbid. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which God defend that I should wring from him. Shak.

3. To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to secure against attack; to maintain against force or argument; to uphold; to guard; as, to defend a town; to defend a cause; to defend character; to defend the absent; -- sometimes followed by from or against; as, to defend one's self from, or against, one's enemies. [ 1913 Webster ]

The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

God defend the right! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

A village near it was defended by the river. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law.) To deny the right of the plaintiff in regard to (the suit, or the wrong charged); to oppose or resist, as a claim at law; to contest, as a suit. Burrill.

Syn. -- To Defend, Protect. To defend is literally to ward off; to protect is to cover so as to secure against approaching danger. We defend those who are attacked; we protect those who are liable to injury or invasion. A fortress is defended by its guns, and protected by its wall. [ 1913 Webster ]

As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it. Is. xxxi. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

Leave not the faithful side
That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]