defend(动词):保护、保卫;为某人/某事辩护、辩解,抵御攻击或批评。(也可指在体育比赛中“防守”。)
/ dɪˈfend /
She defended her little brother at school.
她在学校里保护了她的弟弟。
The lawyer defended the accused by presenting new evidence and questioning the reliability of the witness.
律师通过提出新证据并质疑证人证词的可靠性来为被告辩护。
来自拉丁语 defendere,由 **de-**(加强/离开)+ fendere(击打、打击)构成,原意带有“挡开打击、抵御攻击”的感觉,后来引申为“保卫、辩护”。