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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Defend \De*fend"\ (d[-e]*f[e^]nd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Defended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Defending}.] [F. d['e]fendre, L.
defendere; de- fendere (only in comp.) to strike; perh.
akin to Gr. qei`nein to strike, and E. dint. Cf. {Dint},
{Defense}, {Fend}.]
1. To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel. [A
Latinism & Obs.]
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Th' other strove for to defend
The force of Vulcan with his might and main.
--Spenser.
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2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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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.
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The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city.
--Shak.
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God defend the right! --Shak.
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A village near it was defended by the river.
--Clarendon.
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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}.

Usage: 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.
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As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts
defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver
it. --Is. xxxi. 5.
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Leave not the faithful side
That gave thee being, still shades thee and
protects. --Milton.
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