ward

The definition of a ward is a wing of a hospital, a division of a prison, or a person, especially a child, who is dependent upon the care and support of an appointed guardian.

(noun)

  1. An example of a ward is the children's wing of the hospital.
  2. An example of ward is a child who is in foster care.

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See ward in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

  1. to turn aside; fend off; parry: usually with off
  2. Archaic to keep watch over; guard; protect

Origin: ME warden < OE weardian, to protect, guard, akin to OHG warten, to wait (see guard): E form and sense infl. by NormFr warder, to protect, keep (for OFr garder)

noun

  1. the act of guarding
  2. the state of being under guard
    1. Now Rare guardianship, as of a person of unsound mind or a child
    2. Now Rare the condition of being under the control of a guardian; wardship
    3. a child or legally incompetent person placed under the care of a guardian or court
    4. any person under another's protection or care
  3. each of the parts or divisions of a jail or prison
  4. a room or division of a hospital set apart for a specific class or group of patients: a maternity ward
  5. a district or division of a city or town, for purposes of administration, representation, voting, etc.
  6. Mormon Ch. a local unit presided over by a bishop and two counselors
  7. a means of defense or protection
  8. a defensive posture, position, or motion, as in fencing
  9. an open space enclosed by the walls of a castle or fortification
  10. Archaic a garrison; the guard or watch
  11. Lockmaking
    1. a projecting ridge in a keyhole or lock face that allows only the right key to enter
    2. the notch in a key that matches this ridge

Origin: ME < OE weard

  1. Ward, Artemus (pseud. of Charles Farrar Browne) 1834-67; U.S. humorist
  2. Ward, Mrs. Humphry (born Mary Augusta Arnold) 1851-1920; Brit. novelist, born in Tasmania

  1. in a (specified) direction: inward
  2. in a (specified) direction: downward

Origin: ME -werd < OE -weard < base of weorthan, to become: see worth

See ward in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A division of a city or town, especially an electoral district, for administrative and representative purposes.
  2. A district of some English and Scottish counties corresponding roughly to the hundred or the wapentake.
  3. a. A room in a hospital usually holding six or more patients.
    b. A division in a hospital for the care of a particular group of patients: a maternity ward.
  4. One of the divisions of a penal institution, such as a prison.
  5. An open court or area of a castle or fortification enclosed by walls.
  6. a. Law A minor or incompetent person placed under the care or protection of a guardian or court.
    b. A person under the protection or care of another.
  7. The state of being under guard; custody.
  8. The act of guarding or protecting; guardianship.
  9. A means of protection; a defense.
  10. A defensive movement or attitude, especially in fencing; a guard.
  11. a. The projecting ridge of a lock or keyhole that prevents the turning of a key other than the proper one.
    b. The notch cut into a key that corresponds to such a ridge.
transitive verb ward·ed, ward·ing, wards
To guard; protect.
Phrasal Verb: ward off To turn aside; parry: ward off an opponent's blows. To try to prevent; avert: took vitamins to ward off head colds.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, action of guarding

Origin: , from Old English weard, a watching, protection; see wer-3 in Indo-European roots

.

American merchant who established (1872) the mail-order business that bears his name.

, Artemus 1727-1800.

American Revolutionary general who directed Massachusetts troops in the siege of Boston, until George Washington relieved him of the command and drove the British from the city (1776).

, Artemus

See Charles Farrar Browne.

, Mary Augusta Arnold Known as Mrs. Humphry Ward. 1851-1920.

British writer whose novels include Robert Elsmere (1888).

, Nathaniel Pen name Theodore de la Guard. 1578?-1652.

English clergyman and writer in America. He codified Massachusetts law (1641) and is primarily known for his satire The Simple Cobler of Aggawam in America (1645).

or -wards

suffix
  1. a. In a specified direction in time or space: downward.
    b. Toward a specified place or position: skyward.
  2. a. Occurring or situated in a specified direction: leftward.
    b. Having a direction toward a specified place or position: landward.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English -weard; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots

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