1. (n.) A fiend.

2. (v. t.) To keep off; to prevent from entering or hitting; to ward off; to shut out; -- often with off; as, to fend off blows.

3. (v. i.) To act on the defensive, or in opposition; to resist; to parry; to shift off.

anticipate arm armor avert bar beat off bless block bulwark champion check cloak compass about copyright counter cover cushion debar defend deflect deter discourage dishearten divert drive back ensure estop exclude fence fend off forbid foreclose forestall get by guarantee guard harbor haven help hinder hold at bay hold off insure keep keep at bay keep from keep from harm keep off make do make out make safe nestle obstruct obviate parry patent police preclude prevent prohibit protect push back put back rebuff register repel repulse resist ride shotgun for rule out safeguard save screen secure shelter shield shroud stave off stop turn aside underwrite ward off