ward

noun19

1. •
   a section of a hospital where sick people sleep and nurses look after them

   • Since sick people were apt to be present, he could not always depend on a lively young crowd in the same ward with him, and the entertainment was not always good. — 1961
2. •
   A protected place, and by extension, a type of subdivision.
3. •
   An area of a castle, corresponding to a circuit of the walls.

   • With the castle so crowded, the outer ward had been given over to guests to raise their tents and pavilions, leaving only the smaller inner yards for training. — 2000
4. •
   A section or subdivision of a prison.
5. •
   An administrative division of a borough, city or council.

   • On our last visit to Tokyo, we went to Chiyoda ward and visited the Emperor’s palace.
6. •
   (UK) A division of a forest.
7. •
   A subdivision of the LDS Church, smaller than and part of a stake, but larger than a branch.
8. •
   A person under guardianship.
9. •
   A minor looked after by a guardian.

   • After the trial, little Robert was declared a ward of the state.
10. •
    Protection, defence.
11. •
    Guardianship, especially of a child or prisoner.
12. •
    A guarding or defensive motion or position.

    • Thou knowest my old ward; here I lay, and thus I bore my point. — 1597
13. •
    An enchantment or spell placed over a designated area or social unit, that prevents any tresspasser from entering; approaching; or even being able to locate said protected premises or demographic.
14. •
    An object used for guarding.
15. •
    The ridges on the inside of a lock, or the incisions on a key.
16. •
    The action of a watchman; monitoring, surveillance (usually in phrases keep ward etc.)

    • Before the dore sat selfe-consuming Care, Day and night keeping wary watch and ward, For feare least Force or Fraud should vnaware Breake in[…] — 1590
17. •
    (historical) Land tenure through military service.
18. •
    (no longer used) An underage orphan.
19. •
    (no longer used) A warden; a guard; a guardian or watchman.

    • th'assieged Castles ward Their stedfast stonds did mightily maintaine — 1590

verb5

1. •
   To keep in safety, to watch over, to guard.

   • Whose gates he found fast shut, ne liuing wight To ward the same, nor answere commers call — 1590
2. •
   To fend off, to repel, to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches. (usually followed by off)

   • Draw forth thy sword, thou mightie man at armes, Intending but to raise my charmed skin: And Ioue himselfe will stretch his hand from heauen, To ward the blow, and shield me safe from harme, […] — 1587
3. •
   To act on the defensive with a weapon.
4. •
   To defend, to protect.

   • Tell him it was a hand that warded him From a thousand dangers. — 1588
5. •
   To be vigilant; to keep guard.

   • They for vs fight, they watch and dewly ward, And their bright Squadrons round about vs plant […] — 1590

noun1

1. •
   Ellipsis of Ward Beach: a coastline in Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand.