defender

to defend

defender(deh-fehn-dehr)

transitive verb

1. (to provide protection)

a. to defend

Muchos soldados valientes se alistaron al ejército para defender su patria.

Many brave soldiers enlisted in the army to defend their country.

b. to protect

Mintió para defender la reputación de su familia y evitar un escándalo.

He lied to protect the reputation of his family and to avoid a scandal.

2. (to vindicate)

a. to defend

La actriz se aprovechó de su fama para defender su causa ante los medios de comunicación.

The actress took advantage of her fame to defend her cause before the media.

b. to stand up for

Los trabajadores decidieron defender sus derechos y se pusieron en huelga.

The workers decided to stand up for their rights and went on strike.

3. (to uphold)

a. to defend

Galileo defendió la teoría de Copérnico, pero, al final, se retractó para salvarse la vida.

Galileo defended Copernicus's theory, but in the end he backed off to save his life.

b. to champion

Ella siempre ha defendido la igualdad de paga para las mujeres en el trabajo.

She has always championed equal pay for women in the workplace.

4. (law)

a. to defend

El abogado defendió al acusado en el juicio, aunque sabía que era culpable.

The lawyer defended the accused in the trial, even though he knew he was guilty.

defenderse

reflexive verb

5. (to safeguard oneself)

a. to defend oneself

Me defenderé de cualquier acusación que hagan en mi contra.

I will defend myself against any accusation made against me.

b. to protect oneself

Para defenderme de las críticas, he decidido dejar mi trabajo.

To protect myself from criticism, I have decided to quit my job.

pronominal verb

6. (to manage)

a. to get by

Es una gran jugadora de ajedrez, pero también se defiende jugando al backgammon.

She's a great chess player, but she gets by playing backgammon as well.