Fend Meaning
/ˈfɛnd/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo take care of oneself; to take responsibility for one's own well-being.
verbTo defend, to take care of (typically construed with for); to block or push away (typically construed with off).
Sentence Examples
In the past, the boys were taught to fend for themselves while still very young.
They were left to fend for themselves.
The children were left to fend for themselves.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Without any parents around, the young cub had to ____ for itself in the wild.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Young animals must learn how to ____ for themselves once they are no longer dependent on their parents.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English fenden (“defend, fight, prevent”), shortening of defenden (“defend”), from Old French deffendre (Modern French défendre), from Latin dēfendō (“to ward off”), from dē- + *fendō (“hit, thrust”), from Proto-Italic *fendō, from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰen- (“strike, kill”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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."
— 2003, Scott Turow, Reversible Errors, page 376:
"With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold."
— 1697, Virgil, “The Third Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
"He fends, he blocks, too skillful to be downed."
— 1999, Luo Guanzhong, translated by Moss Roberts, Three Kingdoms: A Historical Novel, page 39:
"“[…] My age is lot like yours. Lone women do not fare well. If I were not there to fend for you, you—”"
— 2002, Jude Deveraux, A Knight in Shining Armor, page 187:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Without any parents around, the young cub had to ____ for itself in the wild.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Young animals must learn how to ____ for themselves once they are no longer dependent on their parents.