dēfenso, āvi, ātum, 1, v. a. intens. [defendo]. *
I To fend off diligently, ward off : metus, Stat. S. 5, 2, 105.—
II To defend diligently, protect (rare; mostly ante-class. and poet., not in Cic. or Caes.): moenia, Plaut. Rud. 3, 3, 30; Sall. J. 26, 1; 60, 3: alios ab hostibus, id. ib. 97: humeros, Ov. M. 12, 376: se ipsa moenia, Liv. 26, 45 (al. defendebant): se injuria, Plaut. Bacch. 3, 3, 39.— Absol. : dum defensamus (sc. armentum), Ov. M. 11, 374.