Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: weardian 'to guard, defend'

ward

2 verb
     
ward2

ward something ↔ off

phrasal verb
to do something to try to protect yourself from something bad, such as illness, danger, or attack:
Don't forget insect repellent to ward off the mosquitoes.
a spell to ward off evil spirits
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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