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)- An example of a ward is the children's wing of the hospital.
- An example of ward is a child who is in foster care.
See ward in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb
- to turn aside; fend off; parry: usually with off
- 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
- the act of guarding
- the state of being under guard
- Now Rare guardianship, as of a person of unsound mind or a child
- Now Rare the condition of being under the control of a guardian; wardship
- a child or legally incompetent person placed under the care of a guardian or court
- any person under another's protection or care
- each of the parts or divisions of a jail or prison
- a room or division of a hospital set apart for a specific class or group of patients: a maternity ward
- a district or division of a city or town, for purposes of administration, representation, voting, etc.
- ☆ Mormon Ch. a local unit presided over by a bishop and two counselors
- a means of defense or protection
- a defensive posture, position, or motion, as in fencing
- an open space enclosed by the walls of a castle or fortification
- Archaic a garrison; the guard or watch
- Lockmaking
- a projecting ridge in a keyhole or lock face that allows only the right key to enter
- the notch in a key that matches this ridge
Origin: ME < OE weard
- Ward, Artemus (pseud. of Charles Farrar Browne) 1834-67; U.S. humorist
- Ward, Mrs. Humphry (born Mary Augusta Arnold) 1851-1920; Brit. novelist, born in Tasmania
- in a (specified) direction: inward
- 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
- A division of a city or town, especially an electoral district, for administrative and representative purposes.
- A district of some English and Scottish counties corresponding roughly to the hundred or the wapentake.
- 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.
- One of the divisions of a penal institution, such as a prison.
- An open court or area of a castle or fortification enclosed by walls.
- 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.
- The state of being under guard; custody.
- The act of guarding or protecting; guardianship.
- A means of protection; a defense.
- A defensive movement or attitude, especially in fencing; a guard.
- 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.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English, action of guarding
Origin: , from Old English weard, a watching, protection; see wer-3 in Indo-European roots
.
, Artemus 1727-1800.
, Artemus
, Mary Augusta Arnold Known as Mrs. Humphry Ward. 1851-1920.
, Nathaniel Pen name Theodore de la Guard. 1578?-1652.
or -wards
suffix- a. In a specified direction in time or space: downward.b. Toward a specified place or position: skyward.
- 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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