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    Fend

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    fend
    fend /fend/ verb
     Date: 1200-1300
     Origin: defend
    fend for yourself to look after yourself without needing help from other people:
        The kids had to fend for themselves while their parents were away.
         
    fend somebody/something off phrasal verb
      1. to defend yourself against someone who is attacking you
       SYN  fight somebody ↔ off:
        Tabitha threw up an arm to fend her attacker off.
      2. to defend yourself from something such as difficult questions, competition, or a situation you do not want to deal with:
        She uses her secretary to fend off unwanted phone calls.
        The company managed to fend off the hostile takeover bid.