Meaning
To ward off attacks against; to fight to protect; to guard.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English defenden, from Old French defendre, deffendre (Modern French défendre), from Latin dēfendō (“to ward off”), from Proto-Italic *fendō, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰen-. Displaced native Old English bewerian.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
attackprosecute
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 9 recorded puzzles: