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   defend

   /dɪˈfɛnd/

   verb

   • 1. resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger: "we shall defend our island, whatever the cost" Similar protectguardsafeguardkeep from harmpreservesecureshieldshelterscreenfortifygarrisonbarricadefight forupholdsupportbe on the side oftake up cudgels forwatch overbe the defender ofOpposite attack
   • ▪ speak or write in favour of (an action or person); attempt to justify: "he defended his policy of imposing high rates" Similar justifyvindicateargue/speak forspeak on behalf ofsupportspeak in support ofgive an apologia formake a case forplead formake excuses forexcuseexoneratepalliateexplaingive reasons forgive the rationale behindsupportspeak in support ofbackstand bystick up forstand up forargue forchampionendorseupholdcome to the defence ofsustainbolsterinformal:throw one's weight behindOpposite attackcriticizecriticize
   • ▪ compete to retain (a title or seat) in a contest or election: "he won the party's nomination to defend the Welsh seat"
   • 2. conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit: "he is a lawyer who specializes in defending political prisoners"
   • 3. (in sport) protect one's goal or wicket rather than attempt to score against one's opponents: "they were forced to defend for long periods"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French defendre, from Latin defendere, from de- ‘off’ + -fendere ‘to strike’. Compare with offend.

   Derivatives

   • 1. defendable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • F

     4

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • D

     2

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