Dictionary entries for 'ward off'

Synonyms

ward (wôrd)

[Middle English, action of guarding, from Old English weard, a watching, protection.]

noun

A division of a city or town, especially an electoral district, for administrative and representative purposes.
A district of some English and Scottish counties corresponding roughly to the hundred or the wapentake.
1. A room in a hospital usually holding six or more patients.
2. A division in a hospital for the care of a particular group of patients: a maternity ward.
One of the divisions of a penal institution, such as a prison.
An open court or area of a castle or fortification enclosed by walls.
1. Law A minor or incompetent person placed under the care or protection of a guardian or court.
2. A person under the protection or care of another.
The state of being under guard; custody.
The act of guarding or protecting; guardianship.
A means of protection; a defense.
A defensive movement or attitude, especially in fencing; a guard.
1. The projecting ridge of a lock or keyhole that prevents the turning of a key other than the proper one.
2. The notch cut into a key that corresponds to such a ridge.

ward off: To turn aside; parry: ward off an opponent's blows.; To try to prevent; avert: took vitamins to ward off head colds.