Defend
/dɪˈfɛnd/noun
To protect from harm or danger.
Did you know?The etymology of 'defend' reveals its connections to ancient rituals of safeguarding the sacred and the power dynamics of protection in medieval societies.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰe-
“to set, to put or place; to do with intention.”
Latin
Latin
defendere
“to ward off or protect.”
Old French
Old French
defendre
“to protect, to prohibit.”
Middle English
Middle English
defenden
“to ward off, to protect.”
Modern English
English
defend
“to protect from harm or danger.”