Fend (?), n. A fiend. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Fend, v. i. To act on the defensive, or in opposition; to resist; to parry; to shift off. [1913 Webster]
The dexterous management of terms, and being able to fend . . . with them, passes for a great part of learning. Locke. [1913 Webster]
The dexterous management of terms, and being able to fend . . . with them, passes for a great part of learning.