v.
- resist an attack on; protect from harm.
- conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit.
- attempt to justify.
- compete to retain (a title or seat).
- (in sport) protect one's goal or wicket rather than attempt to score against one's opponents.
Derivative
- defendable adj.
- defender n.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. defendre, from L. defendere, from de- ‘off’ + -fendere ‘to strike’.