Defend

To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel.

To prohibit; to forbid.

To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to secure against; attack; to maintain against force or argument; to uphold; to guard; as, to defend a town; to defend a cause; to defend character; to defend the absent; -- sometimes followed by from or against; as, to defend one's self from, or against, one's enemies.

To deny the right of the plaintiff in regard to (the suit, or the wrong charged); to oppose or resist, as a claim at law; to contest, as a suit.

protect against a challenge or attack; "Hold that position behind the trees!"; "Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks"