fend and prove

English

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Verb

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 153628242:
  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
  All Pulpit-fools are enemies to Love, If e'er they think, 't is how to fend and prove.