Akademik

defend
verb /dɛˈfɛnd,dɛˈfɛnd,diˈfɛnd,dəˈfɛnd/
a) To ward off attacks from; to fight to protect; to guard.

The vertue is, that neither steele, nor stone / The stroke thereof from entrance may defend [...].

b) To support by words or writing; to vindicate, talk in favour of.

"Brother," seyde Sir Launcelot, "wyte you well I am full loth to departe oute of thys reallme, but the quene hath defended me so hyghly that mesemyth she woll never be my good lady as she hath bene."

Ant: attack
See Also: defender, defense, defence, defensive

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