Defend
Defend (de*fend") , transitive verb
[French défendre, Latin defendere; de- + fendere (only in comp.) to strike; perh. akin to Greek qei`nein to strike, and English dint. Compare Dint, Defense, Fend.]
1.
To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel. [A Latinism & Obsolete]
Th' other strove for to defend
The force of Vulcan with his might and main.
2.
To prohibit; to forbid. [Obsolete] — Chaucer
Which God defend that I should wring from him.
3.
To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to secure against attack; to maintain against force or argument; to uphold; to guard; as, to defend a town; to defend a cause; to defend character; to defend the absent; -- sometimes followed by from or against; as, to defend one's self from, or against, one's enemies.
The lord mayor craves aid... to defend the city.
God defend the right!
A village near it was defended by the river.
4.
(Law.) To deny the right of the plaintiff in regard to (the suit, or the wrong charged); to oppose or resist, as a claim at law; to contest, as a suit. — Burrill
As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it.
Leave not the faithful side
That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects.