defending
UK[dɪˈfɛndɪŋ]US[dɪˈfɛndɪŋ]
v
The present participle or gerund of the verb 'defend', meaning to protect someone or something from attack or harm.
v
The present participle or gerund of the verb 'defend', meaning to attempt to retain a title or position in a competition or challenge.
v
The present participle or gerund of the verb 'defend', meaning to speak or write in support of someone or something.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
fend
ing
de
away, off
fend
strike
ing
present participle suffix
Etymology
The word 'defending' originates from the Latin verb 'defendere', which is a compound of the prefix 'de-' (meaning 'away', 'off') and the root 'fendere' (meaning 'to strike' or 'to push'). The literal sense was "to ward off, repel, or push away an attack." This concrete meaning of physical protection passed into Old French as 'defendre' and subsequently into Middle English. The addition of the '-ing' suffix, of Germanic origin, creates the present participle form, which can function as a verb, adjective, or noun (gerund). Over time, the meaning expanded from physical protection to include abstract concepts like supporting an argument or retaining a championship, but the core logic of actively keeping something safe from a threat remains central.
Analysis
Structure: de (away, off) + fend (strike) + ing (present participle suffix)
- de: A Latin prefix meaning 'away from', 'off', or 'down'. In this word, it functions as an intensifier or a reversive element.
- fend: A root derived from the Latin verb 'fendere', a variant of 'defendere', meaning 'to strike' or 'to push'. It functions as the core semantic root.
- ing: An Old English suffix (from Proto-Germanic -ingaz, -ungō) used to form the present participle or gerund of verbs.
Examples
The soldiers were defending the castle walls against the invaders.
She is defending her doctoral thesis next week.
The defending champion played exceptionally well to secure another victory.