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or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel. [A Latinism & Obs.] Th' other strove for to defend The force of Vulcan with his might and main. Spenser.

Capable of being defended; defensible. [R.]

Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive. [Obs.] With men of courage and with means defendant. Shak.

One who is defended. [R. & Ludicrous]

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.

A female defender. [R.] Defendress of the faith. Stow.

A joint defendant. Blackstone.

ilton . -- A writ of account (Law), a writ which the plaintiff brings demanding that the defendant shall render his just account, or show good cause to the contrary; -- called also an action of account. Cowell.

One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.

so called by abbreviation; as, a general's aid. Aid prayer (Law), a proceeding by which a defendant beseeches and claims assistance from some one who has a further or more permanent interest in the matter in suit. -- To pray in aid, to beseech and claim such assistance.

outwork of a strong, high wall, with turrets, in front gateway (as of an old castle), for defending the entrance.

One who believes in, or defends, the Apocrypha. [R.]

Defending by words or arguments; said or written in defense, or by way of apology; regretfully excusing; as, an apologetic essay. "To speak in a subdued and apologetic tone." Macaulay.

That branch of theology which defends the Holy Scriptures, and sets forth the evidence of their divine authority.

To defend. [Obs.] The Christians . . . were apologized by Plinie. Dr. G. Benson.

llation or title; a descriptive name. God chosen it for one of his appellatives to be the Defender of them. Jer. Taylor.

The defendant in an appeal; -- opposed to appellant.

leather, or other stuff, worn on the fore part of the body, to keep the clothes clean, to defend them from injury, or as a covering. It is commonly tied at the waist by strings.

tained a surplus of wealth. J. S. Mill. Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position. Grote.

To maintain; to defend. [Obs. or Archaic] That . . . I may assert Eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men. Milton. I will assert it from the scandal. Jer. Taylor.