defender

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb