Meaning of fend in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /fɛnd/

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  1. Verb

    fend

    Etymology

    Middle English (in the sense ‘defend’): shortening of defend. Compare with fence and fencible

    Definitions

    1. try to manage without help

    Examples

    • « The youngsters had to fend for themselves after their parents died »
  2. 2. withstand the force of something

    Examples

    • « The trees resisted her »
    • « stand the test of time »
    • « The mountain climbers had to fend against the ice and snow »

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « We must then build a proper relationship between the richest and the poorest countries based on our desire that they are able to fend for themselves with the investment that is necessary in their agriculture, so that Africa is not a net importer of food, but an exporter of food. »
    Gordon Brown

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