wɔ:d n. & v. --n. 1 a
separate room or
division of a
hospital,
prison, etc. (men's
surgical ward). 2 a
Brit. an
administrative division of a
constituency, usu. electing a
councillor or councillors etc. b
esp. US a
similar administrative division. 3 a a
minor under the care of a
guardian appointed by the parents or a
court. b (in full ward of court) a minor or mentally
deficient person placed under the
protection of a court. 4 (in pl.) the corresponding notches
and projections in a key and a
lock. 5
archaic a the
act of guarding or defending a
place etc. b the
bailey of a
castle. c a guardian's
control;
confinement;
custody. --v.tr. archaic
guard;
protect. øward-heeler US a party
worker in elections etc. ward
off 1
parry (a blow). 2
avert (danger,
poverty, etc.). [OE weard, weardian f. Gmc:
cf. GUARD]