ward

²ward

verb

Definition of WARD

transitive verb

1

: to keep watch over : guard

2

: to turn aside (something threatening) : deflect —usually used with off <ward off a blow> <trying to ward off a cold>

Examples of WARD

1. <vowed that he would take whatever measures were necessary to ward the nation's people>

Origin of WARD

Middle English, from Old English weardian & Anglo-French warder, garder, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wartēn to watch, Old Norse vartha to guard, Old English weard ward

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WARD

Synonyms: bulwark, cover, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, defend

Antonyms: assail, assault, attack

Related Words: avert, prevent; oppose, resist, withstand; battle, contend, fight, war; conserve, preserve, save; buffer, palisade, picket, wall

Near Antonyms: bombard, storm; beset, besiege, overrun; capitulate, cave, submit, yield

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