Which God defend that I should wring from him.
Shak.
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.
Shak.
God defend the right!
Shak.
A village near it was defended by the river.
Clarendon.
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.
Syn. -- To Defend, Protect. To defend is literally to ward off; to protect is to cover so as to secure against approaching danger. We defend those who are attacked; we protect those who are liable to injury or invasion. A fortress is defended by its guns, and protected by its wall.
As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it.
Is. xxxi. 5.
Leave not the faithful side
That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects.
Milton.
De*fend"a*ble (d*fnd"*b'l), a. [Cf. F. défendable.] Capable of being defended; defensible. [R.]
De*fend"ant (aant), a. [F. défendant, p. pr. of défendre. See Defend.] 1. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive. [Obs.]
With men of courage and with means defendant.
Shak.