Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FEND, v.t. [The root of defend and offend. The primary sense is to fall on, or to strike, to repel.]

To keep off; to prevent from entering; to ward off; to shut out. With fern beneath to fend the bitter cold. Dryden. It is usually followed by off; as, to fend off blows. To fend off a boat or vessel, is to prevent its running against another, or against a wharf, &c., with too much violence.