fend and prove
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English
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Verb
[edit]fend and prove (third-person singular simple present fends and proves, present participle fending and proving, simple past fended and proved, past participle fended and proved or fended and proven)
- (idiomatic) To engage in argument.
- 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC:
- The dexterous management of terms, and being able to fend and prove with them, I know has, and does pass in the world for a great part of learning; but it is learning distinct from knowledge; […]
- 1818, John Dunton, The Life and Errors of John Dunton, Citizen of London[1]:
- All Pulpit-fools are enemies to Love, If e'er they think, 't is how to fend and prove.