mindmap root((保护)) defend denotes warding off or repelling actual or threatened attack: a large army needed to ~ the country. protect implies the use of something as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack, injure, or destroy: ~ one's eyes from the sun with dark glasses. shield suggests the intenvention of a cover or barrier against imminent danger or actual attack: tried to ~ her child from the real world. guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger: all White House entrances are well ~ed. safeguard implies the taking of precautionary protective measures against merely potential dangers: individual rights must be ~ed whatever the cost.