fend

UK /fɛnd/ US /fɛnd/

verb 2noun 2

Definitions

verb

To take care of oneself; to take responsibility for one's own well-being.

1990, Messrs Howley and Murphy, quoted in U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor Standards, Oversight hearing on the Federal Service Contract Act, U.S. Government Printing Office, page 40, Mr. Howley. They are telling him how much they will increase the reimbursement for the total labor cost. The contractor is left to fend as he can. Chairman Murphy. Obviously, he can’t fend for any more than the money he has coming in.

The planet was full of creatures in need, who could not really fend, and the law was at its best when it ensured that they were treated with dignity.

To defend, to take care of (typically construed with for); to block or push away (typically construed with off).

With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold.

He fends, he blocks, too skillful to be downed.

noun

Self-support; taking care of one's own well-being.

noun

An enemy; fiend; the Devil.

Collocations

(verb.)

VERB + FEND

be able to

be left to, have to

Young refugees had to fend for themselves when they arrived in the city with no family support.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

verb — withstand the force of something

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

fend and prove

To engage in argument.

The dexterous management of terms, and being able to fend and prove with them, I know has, and does pass in the world for a great part of learning; but it is learning distinct from

fend away

To turn something away; to ward off.

She fended away his eager hands.

Example Bank

1990, Messrs Howley and Murphy, quoted in U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor Standards, Oversight hearing on the Federal Service Contract Act, U.S. Government Printing Office, page 40, Mr. Howley. They

Wiktionary

The planet was full of creatures in need, who could not really fend, and the law was at its best when it ensured that they were treated with dignity.

Wiktionary

With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold.

Wiktionary

In the past, the boys were taught to fend for themselves while still very young.

Tatoeba · #272154

They were left to fend for themselves.

Tatoeba · #530736

The children were left to fend for themselves.

Tatoeba · #673306

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, fend is marked as obsolete, rare, UK. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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