Pronunciations (4)
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/ˈfɛnd/
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[ˈfɛnd]
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/ˈfɪnd/
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[ˈfɪ̟nd]
Verb
To take care of oneself; to take responsibility for one's own well-being.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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More examples (1)
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).
Usage- Rare
- Examples
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With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold.
He fends, he blocks, too skillful to be downed.
More examples (1)
“[…] My age is lot like yours. Lone women do not fare well. If I were not there to fend for you, you—”
Noun
Self-support; taking care of one's own well-being.
Usage- Obsolete
- Uncountable
Noun
An enemy; fiend; the Devil.
Usage- UK usage
- dialectal
Verb
try to manage without help
- Examples
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The youngsters had to fend for themselves after their parents died
withstand the force of something
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The trees resisted her
stand the test of time
More examples (1)
The mountain climbers had to fend against the ice and snow