Th' other strove for to defend The force of Vulcan
with his might and main. --Spenser.
2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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.
The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city.
--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.
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.
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.