Also see definition of "ward" in Bible Study Dictionaries
Word Study
ward
CIDE DICTIONARY
ward, n. [AS. weard, fem., guard, weard, masc., keeper, guard; akin to OS. ward a watcher, warden, G. wart, OHG. wart, Icel. vör a warden, a watch, Goth. -wards in daúrawards a doorkeeper, and E. wary; cf. OF. warde guard, from the German. See Ware, a. , Wary, and cf. Guard, Wraith.].
- The act of guarding; watch; guard; guardianship; specifically, a guarding during the day. See the Note under Watch,
n. , 1. [1913 Webster]"Still, when she slept, he kept both watch and ward." [1913 Webster] - One who, or that which, guards; garrison; defender; protector; means of guarding; defense; protection. [1913 Webster]"For the best ward of mine honor." [1913 Webster]"The assieged castle's ward
Their steadfast stands did mightily maintain." [1913 Webster]"For want of other ward,
He lifted up his hand, his front to guard." [1913 Webster] - The state of being under guard or guardianship; confinement under guard; the condition of a child under a guardian; custody. [1913 Webster]"And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard." [1913 Webster]"I must attend his majesty's command, to whom I am now in ward." [1913 Webster]"It is also inconvenient, in Ireland, that the wards and marriages of gentlemen's children should be in the disposal of any of those lords." [1913 Webster]
- A guarding or defensive motion or position, as in fencing; guard. Shak. [1913 Webster]
- One who, or that which, is guarded. [1913 Webster]"Throughout the trembling city placed a guard,
Dealing an equal share to every ward." [1913 Webster] - A projecting ridge of metal in the interior of a lock, to prevent the use of any key which has not a corresponding notch for passing it. Knight. [1913 Webster]"The lock is made . . . more secure by attaching wards to the front, as well as to the back, plate of the lock, in which case the key must be furnished with corresponding notches." [1913 Webster]
ward, v. t. [OE. wardien, AS. weardian to keep, protect; akin to OS. wardn to watch, take care, OFries. wardia, OHG. wartn, G. warten to wait, wait on, attend to, Icel. vara to guarantee defend, Sw. vårda to guard, to watch; cf. OF. warder, of German origin. See Ward, n. , and cf. Award, Guard, Reward.].
- To keep in safety; to watch; to guard; formerly, in a specific sense, to guard during the day time. [1913 Webster]"Whose gates he found fast shut, no living wight
To ward the same." [1913 Webster] - To defend; to protect. [1913 Webster]"Tell him it was a hand that warded him
From thousand dangers." [1913 Webster] - To defend by walls, fortifications, etc. [1913 Webster]
- To fend off; to repel; to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches; -- usually followed by off. [1913 Webster]"Now wards a felling blow, now strikes again." [1913 Webster]"The pointed javelin warded off his rage." [1913 Webster]"It instructs the scholar in the various methods of warding off the force of objections." [1913 Webster]
ward, v. i.
- To be vigilant; to keep guard. [1913 Webster]
- To act on the defensive with a weapon. [1913 Webster]"She redoubling her blows drove the stranger to no other shift than to ward and go back." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
ward, n. & v.
--n.
1 a separate room or division of a hospital, prison, etc. (men's surgical ward).
2 a Brit. an administrative division of a constituency, usu. electing a councillor or councillors etc. b esp. US a similar administrative division.
3 a a minor under the care of a guardian appointed by the parents or a court. b (in full ward of court) a minor or mentally deficient person placed under the protection of a court.
4 (in pl.) the corresponding notches and projections in a key and a lock.
5 archaic a the act of guarding or defending a place etc. b the bailey of a castle. c a guardian's control; confinement; custody.
--v.tr. archaic guard; protect.
--n.
1 a separate room or division of a hospital, prison, etc. (men's surgical ward).
2 a Brit. an administrative division of a constituency, usu. electing a councillor or councillors etc. b esp. US a similar administrative division.
3 a a minor under the care of a guardian appointed by the parents or a court. b (in full ward of court) a minor or mentally deficient person placed under the protection of a court.
4 (in pl.) the corresponding notches and projections in a key and a lock.
5 archaic a the act of guarding or defending a place etc. b the bailey of a castle. c a guardian's control; confinement; custody.
--v.tr. archaic guard; protect.
Idiom
ward-heeler US a party worker in elections etc. ward off
1 parry (a blow).
2 avert (danger, poverty, etc.).
1 parry (a blow).
2 avert (danger, poverty, etc.).
Etymology
OE weard, weardian f. Gmc: cf. GUARD
THESAURUS
ward
Kreis, VA hospital, X ray, acropolis, administration, aegis, archbishopric, archdiocese, armament, armor, arrondissement, asylum, auspices, avert, avoidance reaction, bailiwick, balk, base hospital, bastion, beachhead, bishopric, block, blockhouse, blood bank, borough, bridgehead, bunker, canton, care, castle, charge, charity ward, check, citadel, city, client, clinic, close borough, commune, community hospital, congressional district, constablewick, consultation room, convalescent home, convalescent hospital, county, cure, custodianship, custody, defence, defense, defense in depth, defense mechanism, defenses, deflect, delivery room, departement, dependent, deter, deterrent capacity, diocese, dispensary, district, divert, donjon, duchy, ego defenses, election district, electoral district, electorate, emergency, encumbrance, escape mechanism, evacuation hospital, examining room, fasthold, fastness, fend, fever ward, field hospital, foil, forestall, fort, fortress, frustrate, garrison, garrison house, general hospital, gerrymander, gerrymandered district, governance, government, guard, guardianship, guarding, guidance, halt, hamlet, hands, hold, home, hospital, hospital room, hundred, infirmary, inpatient clinic, intensive care, interrupt, isolation, jurisdiction, keep, keeping, labor room, laboratory, lookout, magistracy, maison de sante, management, martello, martello tower, maternity ward, mental hospital, metropolis, metropolitan area, ministry, mote, motte, negative taxis, nursery, nursing home, oblast, obviate, okrug, operating room, osteopathic hospital, outpatient clinic, oversight, parish, parry, pastorage, pastorate, pastorship, patronage, peel, peel tower, pensionary, pensioner, pharmacy, picket, pillbox, pocket borough, policlinic, polyclinic, post, precinct, preclude, preventive custody, principality, prison ward, private hospital, private room, proprietary hospital, protection, protective custody, protectorship, protege, province, psychological defenses, public charge, public hospital, rath, recovery room, region, resistance, rest home, riding, rotten borough, rule out, safe district, safe hands, safeguard, safehold, safekeeping, sanatorium, security, self-defense, self-preservation, self-protection, semi-private room, sentinel, sentry, sheriffalty, sheriffwick, shield, shire, shrievalty, sick bay, sickbed, sickroom, silk-stocking district, single-member district, soke, special hospital, stake, state, station hospital, stave off, stay, stewardship, strong point, stronghold, stymie, surgery, surgical hospital, swing district, teaching hospital, territory, the defensive, therapy, thwart, tower, tower of strength, town, township, treatment room, trust, turn, turn aside, tutelage, veterans hospital, village, voluntary hospital, wapentake, wardenship, wardship, watch, watch and ward, watchman, well-baby clinic, wingROGET THESAURUS
ward
Safety
VB be safe, keep one's head above water, tide over, save one's bacon, ride out the storm, weather the storm, light upon one's feet, land on one's feet, bear a charmed life, escape, make safe, render safe Adj, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter.N safety, security, surety, impregnability, invulnerability, invulnerableness, danger past, danger over, storm blown over, coast clear, escape, means of escape, blow valve, safety valve, release valve, sniffing valve, safeguard, palladium, guardianship, wardship, wardenship, tutelage, custody, safekeeping, preservation, protection, auspices, safe-conduct, escort, convoy, guard, shield, guardian angel, tutelary god, tutelary deity, tutelary saint, genius loci, protector, guardian, warden, warder, preserver, custodian, duenna, chaperon, third person, watchdog, bandog, Cerberus, watchman, patrolman, policeman, cop, dick, fuzz, smokey, peeler, zarp, sentinel, sentry, scout, garrison, guardship, refuge &c, anchor, precaution, quarantine, cordon sanitaire, confidence, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter, Adj, safe, secure, sure, in safety, in security, on the safe side, under the shield of, under the shade of, under the wing of, under the shadow of one's wing, under cover, under lock and key, out of danger, out of the woods, out of the meshes, out of harm's way, unharmed, unscathed, on sure ground, at anchor, high and dry, above water, unthreatened, unmolested, protected, cavendo tutus, panoplied, snug, seaworthy, weatherproof, waterproof, fireproof, defensible, tenable, proof against, invulnerable, unassailable, unattackable, impenetrable, impregnable, imperdible, inexpugnable, Achillean, safe and sound, scathless, unhazarded, not dangerous, unthreatening, harmless, friendly (cooperative), protecting, protective, guardian, tutelary, preservative, trustworthy, ex abundanti cautela, with impunity, all's well, salva res est, suave mari magno, a couvert, e terra alterius spectare laborem, Dieu vous garde.
Refuge
N refuge, sanctuary, retreat, fastness, acropolis, keep, last resort, ward, prison, asylum, ark, home, refuge for the destitute, almshouse, hiding place, sanctum sanctorum, roadstead, anchorage, breakwater, mole, port, haven, harbor, harbor of refuge, seaport, pier, jetty, embankment, quay, covert, cover, shelter, screen, lee wall, wing, shield, umbrella, barrier, dashboard, dasher, wall, fort, anchor, kedge, grapnel, grappling iron, sheet anchor, killick, mainstay, support, cheek, ballast, jury mast, vent-peg, safety valve, blow-off valve, safety lamp, lightning rod, lightning conductor, safety belt, airbag, seat belt, antilock brakes, antiskid tires, snow tires, means of escape, lifeboat, lifejacket, life buoy, swimming belt, cork jacket, parachute, plank, steppingstone, emergency landing, safeguard, any port in a storm, bibere venenum in auro, valet anchora virtus.Part
N part, portion, dose, item, particular, aught, any, division, ward, subdivision, section, chapter, clause, count, paragraph, verse, article, passage, sector, segment, fraction, fragment, cantle, frustum, detachment, parcel, piece, lump, bit cut, cutting, chip, chunk, collop, slice, scale, lamina, small part, morsel, particle, installment, dividend, share, debris, odds and ends, oddments, detritus, excerpta, member, limb, lobe, lobule, arm, wing, scion, branch, bough, joint, link, offshoot, ramification, twig, bush, spray, sprig, runner, leaf, leaflet, stump, component part, sarmentum, compartment, department, county, fractional, fragmentary, sectional, aliquot, divided, in compartments, multifid, disconnected, partial, partly, in part, partially, piecemeal, part by part, by by installments, by snatches, by inches, by driblets, bit by bit, inch by inch, foot by foot, drop by drop, in detail, in lots.Defense
N defense, protection, guard, ward, shielding, propugnation, preservation, guardianship, area defense, site defense, self-defense, self-preservation, resistance, safeguard, balistraria, bunker, screen, camouflage, fortification, munition, muniment, trench, foxhole, bulwark, fosse, moat, ditch, entrenchment, intrenchment, kila, dike, dyke, parapet, sunk fence, embankment, mound, mole, bank, sandbag, revetment, earth work, field- work, fence, wall dead wall, contravallation, paling, palisade, haha, stockade, stoccado, laager, sangar, barrier, barricade, boom, portcullis, chevaux de frise, abatis, abattis, abbatis, vallum, circumvallation, battlement, rampart, scarp, escarp, counter-scarp, glacis, casemate, vallation, vanfos, buttress, abutment, shore, breastwork, banquette, curtain, mantlet, bastion, redan, ravelin, vauntmure, advance work, horn work, outwork, barbacan, barbican, redoubt, fort-elage, fort-alice, lines, loophole, machicolation, sally port, hold, stronghold, fastness, asylum, keep, donjon, dungeon, fortress, citadel, capitol, castle, tower of strength, tower of strength, fort, barracoon, pah, sconce, martello tower, peelhouse, blockhouse, rath, wooden walls, bulletproof vest, armored vest, buffer, corner stone, fender, apron, mask, gauntlet, thimble, carapace, armor, shield, buckler, aegis, breastplate, backplate, cowcatcher, face guard, scutum, cuirass, habergeon, mail, coat of mail, brigandine, hauberk, lorication, helmet, helm, bassinet, salade, heaume, morion, murrion, armet, cabaset, vizor, casquetel, siege cap, headpiece, casque, pickelhaube, vambrace, shako, bearskin, panoply, truncheon, garrison, picket, piquet, defender, protector, guardian, bodyguard, champion, knight-errant, Paladin, propugner, bulletproof window, hardened site, defending, defensive, mural, armed, armed at all points, armed cap-a-pie, armed to the teeth, panoplied, iron-plated, ironclad, loopholed, castellated, machicolated, casemated, defended, proof against, armored, ballproof, bulletproof, hardened, defensively, on the defense, on the defensive, in defense, at bay, pro aris et focis, Int, no surrender!, defense not defiance, Dieu defend le droit, fidei defensor, defender of the faith.Government
N government, legal authority, soveriegn, sovereign authority, authority, master, direction, national government, nation, state, country, nation- state, dominion, republic, empire, union, democratic republic, kingdom, principality, state government, state, shire, province, county, canton, territory, duchy, archduchy, archdukedom, woiwodshaft, commonwealth, region, property, county, parish city, domain, tract, arrondissement, mofussil, commune, wappentake, hundred, riding, lathe, garth, soke, tithing, ward, precinct, bailiwick, command, empire, sway, rule, dominion, domination, sovereignty, supremacy, suzerainty, lordship, headship, chiefdom, seigniory, seigniority, rule, sway, command, control, administer, govern, lead, preside over, reign, possess the throne, be seated on the throne, occupy the throne, sway the scepter, wield the scepter, wear the crown, state, realm, body politic, posse comitatus, judicature, cabinet, seat of government, seat of authority, headquarters, accession, installation, politics, reign, regime, dynasty, directorship, dictatorship, protectorate, protectorship, caliphate, pashalic, electorate, presidency, presidentship, administration, proconsul, consulship, prefecture, seneschalship, magistrature, magistracy, monarchy, kinghood, kingship, royalty, regality, aristarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy, theocracy, demagogy, commonwealth, dominion, heteronomy, republic, republicanism, socialism, collectivism, mob law, mobocracy, ochlocracy, vox populi, imperium in imperio, bureaucracy, beadledom, bumbledom, stratocracy, military power, military government, junta, feodality, feudal system, feudalism, thearchy, theocracy, dinarchy, duarchy, triarchy, heterarchy, duumvirate, triumvirate, autocracy, autonomy, limited monarchy, constitutional government, constitutional monarchy, home rule, representative government, monocracy, pantisocracy, gynarchy, gynocracy, gynaeocracy, petticoat government, legislature, judiciary, administration, office of the president, office of the prime minister, cabinet, senate, house of representatives, parliament, council, courts, supreme court, state, interior, labor, health and human services, defense, education, agriculture, justice, commerce, treasury, Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Central Intelligence Agency, CIA, National Institutes of Health, NIH, Postal Service, Post Office, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, president, vice president, cabinet member, prime minister, minister, senator, representatative, president pro tem, speaker of the house, department head, section head, section chief, federal judge, justice, justice of the supreme court, chief justice, treasurer, secretary of the treasury, director of the FBI, governor, state cabinet member, state senator, assemblyman, assemblywoman, regal, sovereign, governing, royal, royalist, monarchical, kingly, imperial, imperiatorial, princely, feudal, aristocratic, autocratic, oligarchic, republican, dynastic, ruling, regnant, gubernatorial, imperious, authoritative, executive, administrative, clothed with authority, official, departmental, ex officio, imperative, peremptory, overruling, absolute, hegemonic, hegemonical, authorized, government, public, national, federal, his majesty's, her majesty's, state, county, city, N, a dog's obeyed in office, cada uno tiene su alguazil, le Roi le veut, regibus esse manus en nescio longas, regnant populi, the demigod Authority, the right divine of kings to govern wrong, uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.Servant
N servant, subject, liegeman, servant, retainer, follower, henchman, servitor, domestic, menial, help, lady help, employe, attache, official, retinue, suite, cortege, staff, court, attendant, squire, usher, page, donzel, footboy, train bearer, cup bearer, waiter, lapster, butler, livery servant, lackey, footman, flunky, flunkey, valet, valet de chambre, equerry, groom, jockey, hostler, ostler, tiger, orderly, messenger, cad, gillie, herdsman, swineherd, barkeeper, bartender, bell boy, boots, boy, counterjumper, khansamah, khansaman, khitmutgar, yardman, bailiff, castellan, seneschal, chamberlain, major-domo, groom of the chambers, secretary, under secretary, assistant secretary, clerk, subsidiary, agent, subaltern, underling, understrapper, man, maid, maidservant, handmaid, confidente, lady's maid, abigail, soubrette, amah, biddy, nurse, bonne, ayah, nursemaid, nursery maid, house maid, parlor maid, waiting maid, chamber maid, kitchen maid, scullery maid, femme de chambre, femme fille, camarista, chef de cuisine, cordon bleu, cook, scullion, Cinderella, potwalloper, maid of all work, servant of all work, laundress, bedmaker, journeyman, charwoman, bearer, chokra, gyp (Cambridge), hamal, scout (Oxford), serf, vassal, slave, negro, helot, bondsman, bondswoman, bondslave, ame damnee, odalisque, ryot, adscriptus gleboe, villian, villein, beadsman, bedesman, sizar, pensioner, pensionary, client, dependant, dependent, hanger on, satellite, parasite, led captain, protege, ward, hireling, mercenary, puppet, tool, creature, badge of slavery, bonds, in the train of, in one's pay, in one's employ, at one's call, in bonds.Restraint
N restraint, hindrance, coercion, cohibition, constraint, repression, suppression, discipline, control, confinement, durance, duress, imprisonment, incarceration, coarctation, entombment, mancipation, durance vile, limbo, captivity, blockade, arrest, arrestation, custody, keep, care, charge, ward, restringency, curb, lettres de cachet, limitation, restriction, protection, monopoly, prohibition, prisoner, repressionist, restrained, constrained, imprisoned, pent up, jammed in, wedged in, under lock and key, under restraint, under hatches, in swaddling clothes, on parole, in custody, doing time, cohibitive, coactive, stiff, restringent, strait-laced, hidebound, barkbound, ice bound, wind bound, weather bound, cabined cribbed confined, in Lob's pound, laid by the heels.Also see definition of "ward" in Bible Study Dictionaries
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