ward — OAT · Shobdo

ward

noun

1 the men's surgical ward:

room, compartment, department, unit, area.

2 the second most marginal ward in Westminster:

district, constituency, division, quarter, zone, parish, community, department, canton.

3 for the last three years the boy has been my ward:

dependant, charge, protégé, pupil, trainee, apprentice;

minor.

▷antonyms guardian.

verb

the last of the accident victims was warded:

admit to hospital, admit, take in, let in, accept, receive, give entry to.

▷antonyms discharge.

□ ward someone off

Kelly held out a hand to ward him off:

fend off, drive back, keep off, stave off, repel, repulse, beat back, rout, put to flight, chase away;

informal send packing.

□ ward something off

1 Candy held up her hands as though warding off a blow:

parry, avert, deflect, block, turn aside, defend oneself against, guard against, evade, avoid, dodge.

2 garlands of turmeric and garlic are worn to ward off evil spirits:

avert, rebuff, rebut, keep at bay, keep at arm's length, fend off, stave off, oppose, resist, prevent, hinder, obstruct, impede, foil, frustrate, thwart, check, balk, stop, head off.