To ward off attacks against; to fight to protect; to guard.
To focus one's energies and talents on preventing opponents from scoring, as opposed to focusing on scoring.
To attempt to retain a title, or attempt to reach the same stage in a competition as one did in the previous edition of that competition.
To call a raise from the big blind.
To support by words or writing; to vindicate, talk in favour of.
To make legal defence of; to represent (the accused).
to make a defence for someone or something; to intercede supportively.
To engage in a contest.