transitive. To protect oneself from, ward off.

transitive. To intercept (a missile); to ward off (a stroke). See kep, v. Obsolete.

transitive. To ward off or resist (a weapon, blow, or injury). Also in figurative contexts.

transitive. To turn aside, parry (a blow or thrust); (figurative) to ward off, avert (a threat, calamity, etc.). Formerly also intransitive. Obsolete…

To parry, repel, fend off, turn aside (a stroke or thrust, blow, attack, weapon, missile). Now almost always with off.

To ward off (blows, etc.).

transitive. To ward or catch (blows).

To parry (a blow); to ward off. Obsolete.

To frustrate, render nugatory (an attempt or purpose); to parry (a blow); to baulk, disappoint (hopes, etc.); to baffle, frustrate the efforts of…