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defend

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Defend is defined as to stand up for, protect or guard.

(verb)

An example of defend is to stand up for a person who is being picked on by bullies.

See defend in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

1. to guard from attack; keep from harm or danger; protect
2. to protect (a goal, etc.) against scoring by an opponent
to support, maintain, or justify: defend one's conduct
Law
1. to oppose (an action)
2. to plead (one's cause) in defense
3. to act as lawyer for (an accused)

Origin: ME defenden < OFr defendre < L defendere, to ward off, repel < de-, away, from + fendere, to strike < IE base *gwhen-, to strike > Gr theinein, to kill, strike, OE guth, combat

intransitive verb

to make a defense

Related Forms:

defendable adjective
defender noun

See defend in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb de·fend·ed, de·fend·ing, de·fends

verb, transitive

To make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm.
Sports
a. To attempt to prevent the opposition from scoring while playing in or near (a goal or area of a field, for example).
b. To be responsible for guarding (an opposing player).
c. To compete against a challenger in an attempt to retain (a championship).
To support or maintain, as by argument or action; justify.
Law
a. To represent (a defendant) in a civil or criminal action.
b. To attempt to disprove or invalidate (an action or claim).