Main Entry: ¹fend

Pronunciation: \ˈfend\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English fenden, short for defenden

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : defend
2 : to keep or ward off : repel —often used with off <fend off an invader>
3 dialect British : to provide for : supportintransitive verb 1 dialect British : to make an effort : struggle
2 a : to try to get along without help : shift <had to fend for themselves> b : to provide a livelihood