See Also: ward(medicine)
ward(3)(dictionary)
ward(2)(dictionary)
Ward, O(medicine)
ward(dictionary)
Ward (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
ward 1, noun(dictionary)
ward 2, verb(dictionary)
Halstead, Ward(medicine)
RAVISHMENT OF WARD, Eng(law)

ward(3) (iou)



ward verb.
[Old English weardian = Old Frisian wardia, Old Saxon wardon, Old High German warten (German warten nurse, look after), Old Norse varea, from Germanic base as WARD noun; reinforced in Middle English by Old Northern French warder var. of Old & mod. French garder GUARD verb. In sense 10 from the noun.]
a. verb trans. Keep safe, take care of; guard, defend, protect. (Foll. by from.) arch. OE.
b. verb intrans. Keep guard. LME-E18.
verb trans. Rule or govern (a country); administer (an estate); act as guardian to (a child). OE-LME.
verb trans. Man with a garrison; protect or shield with; fortify (a castle). Orig. also, (of a castle) defend or protect (an area etc.). OE-M17.
verb intrans. Take up a position of defence, take precautions against. ME-M18.
verb trans. Keep in close custody; confine, imprison. Chiefly Scot. Now rare. ME.
verb intrans. Parry blows; stand on the defensive in a combat. arch. LME.
verb trans.
a. Repel, turn aside, (a blow, attack, etc.). Usu. foll. by off. L16.
G. Greene Holding his palm over his eyes..to ward off falling glass.
b. Avert, keep off, (harm, danger, etc.). L16.
Country Living A healthy body needs a..supply of minerals to ward off illness. A. Stevens He insisted that Emilie sat behind him to ward off evil spirits.
verb trans. Enclose; hem in, shut off. rare. L16.
verb trans. Of a dog: line or cover (a bitch). M18.
verb trans. Place (a patient) in a particular hospital ward; lodge (a vagrant) in a casual ward. L19.
P. D. James She had a temperature of 103.8 when she was warded.