fend

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fend / fend/ • v. 1. [intr.] (fend for oneself) look after and provide for oneself, without any help from others: you're old enough to fend for yourself.2. [tr.] (fend someone/something off) defend oneself from a blow, attack, or attacker. ∎  evade someone or something: he fended off the awkward questions.

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