Chapter Defeature to Defervescence of D by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

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.

Defendable
(De*fend"a*ble) a. [Cf. F. défendable.] Capable of being defended; defensible. [R.]

Defendant
(De*fend"ant) 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.

2. Making defense.

Defendant
(De*fend"ant), n.

1. One who defends; a defender.

The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up.

Spotswood.

2. (Law) A person required to make answer in an action or suit; — opposed to plaintiff. Abbott.

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.

Defendee
(De`fen*dee") (de`fen*de" or de*fend"e`), n. One who is defended. [R. & Ludicrous]

Defender
(De*fend"er) n. [Cf. Fender.] One who defends; one who maintains, supports, protects, or vindicates; a champion; an advocate; a vindicator.

Provinces . . . left without their ancient and puissant defenders.

Motley.

Defendress
(De*fend"ress) n. A female defender. [R.]

Defendress of the faith.

Stow.

Defensative
(De*fen"sa*tive) n. [L. defensare, defensatum, to defend diligently, intens. of defendere. See Defend.] That which serves to protect or defend.

Defense
(De*fense", De*fence") n. [F. défense, OF. defense, fem., defens, masc., fr. L. defensa (cf. LL. defensum), from defendere. See Defend, and cf. Fence.]