defend
/dɪˈfend/verb
with obj.
1- resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger保卫, 保护：
we shall defend our island, whatever the cost.
我们要不惜任何代价保卫我们的岛。
1.1
- speak or write in favour of (an action or person); attempt to justify为…辩护：
he defended his policy of imposing high rates.
他为自己征收高地方税额的政策进行辩护。
1.2
- conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit为（被告）辩护：
the lawyer had defended dissidents.
该律师曾为持不同政见者辩护。
1.3
- compete to retain (a title or seat) in a contest or election竞赛中保住（头衔）, 选举中保住（席位）：
he won the party's nomination to defend the Welsh seat
他赢得该党的提名, 以争取保住威尔士的席位
as adj. defending the defending champion.卫冕冠军。
1.4
- no obj.(in sport) protect one's goal or wicket rather than attempt to score against one's opponents（体育用语）防守。
派生词
defendable
adjective词源
Middle English: from Old French defendre, from Latin defendere, from de- 'off '+-fendere 'to strike'. Compare OFFEND.