defend

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“
What it will defend is Russian nationalism and the integrity of the Russian nation itself.

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Definitions (24)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (10)

  1. transitive verb To make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm.
  2. transitive verb Sports To attempt to prevent the opposition from scoring while playing in or near (a goal or area of a field, for example).
  3. transitive verb Sports To be responsible for guarding (an opposing player).
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Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (6)

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Examples (50)

  • It is a war we have been asked to defend, as American Jews, and if we have an obligation to defend Israel, we have a right to ask hard questions, and not just in chambers. —  JTA - Recent News
  • Insurers cannot avoid the duty to defend -- and trial courts cannot ratify the insurer's denial of a defense by granting judgment in the insurer's favor -- by the expedient of simply ignoring evidence that supports a differing conclusion. —  Declarations and Exclusions
  • What it will defend is Russian nationalism and the integrity of the Russian nation itself. —  Sweetness & Light
  • You hereby indemnify, defend, and hold the NHL Parties harmless from and against any and all liabilities and costs (including reasonable attorneys 'fees') incurred by the NHL Parties in connection with any claim arising out of any breach by you of these Terms. —  NHL.com Feature Stories
  • Someone has to keep watch and be ready to defend, and Mr. President - Tag! —  Millard Fillmore's Bathtub
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This word has been looked up 202 times.

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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

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defend:   defended ·  defending ·  defends
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English defenden, from Old French defendre, from Latin dēfendere, to ward off; see gwhen- in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from Middle English defenden, also diffenden, from Old French defendre, desfendre, French défendre, defend, forbid, interdict, = Spanish Portuguese defender = Italian defendere, difendere, from Latin defendere, ward off, repel, avert, defend, from de, down, away, + fendere, strike, only in comp. defendere and offendere; cf. Greek θείνειν, strike. Cf. fend, apheretic form of defend and offend.
 

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/dəˈfɛnd/
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