Part 2854

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel.</def> <mark>[A Latinism & Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>Th' other strove for to <b>defend</b> The force of Vulcan with his might and main. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To prohibit; to forbid.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<blockquote>Which God <b>defend</b> that I should wring from him. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to secure against; attack; to maintain against force or argument; to uphold; to guard; <as>as, to <ex>defend</ex> a town; to <ex>defend</ex> a cause; to <ex>defend</ex> character; to <ex>defend</ex> the absent</as>; -- sometimes followed by <i>from</i> or <i>against</i>; <as>as, to <ex>defend</ex> one's self <i>from</i>, or <i>against</i>, one's enemies</as>.</def>

<blockquote>The lord mayor craves aid . . . to <b>defend</b> the city. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>God <b>defend</b> the right! <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>A village near it was <b>defended</b> by the river. <i>Clarendon.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <fld>(Law.)</fld> <def>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.</def>

<i>Burrill.</i>

<syn>Syn. -- To <er>Defend</er>, <er>Protect</er>.</syn> <usage> To <i>defend</i> is literally to ward off; to <i>protect</i> is to cover so as to secure against approaching danger. We <i>defend</i> those who are attacked; we <i>protect</i> those who are liable to injury or invasion. A fortress is <i>defended</i> by its guns, and <i>protected</i> by its wall.</usage>

<blockquote>As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts <b>defend</b> Jerusalem; <b>defending</b> also he will deliver it. <i>Is. xxxi. 5.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>Leave not the faithful side That gave thee being, still shades thee and <b>protects</b>. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Defendable</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fend"a*ble</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>d\'82fendable</ets>.]</ety> <def>Capable of being defended; defensible.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<h1>Defendant</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fend"ant</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>d\'82fendant</ets>, p. pr. of <ets>d\'82fendre</ets>. See <er>Defend</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>With men of courage and with means <b>defendant</b>. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Making defense.</def>

<h1>Defendant</h1> <Xpage=381>

<hw>De*fend"ant</hw>, <tt>n.</tt>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>One who defends; a defender.</def>

<blockquote>The rampiers and ditches which the <b>defendants</b> had cast up. <i>Spotswood.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Law)</fld> <def>A person required to make answer in an action or suit; -- opposed to <i>plaintiff</i>.</def>

<i>Abbott.</i>

<note>&hand; The term is applied to any party of whom a demand is made in court, whether the party denies and defends the claim, or admits it, and suffers a default; also to a party charged with a criminal offense.</note>