ward

noun

1》 a room in a hospital, typically one allocated to a particular type of patient.

2》 an administrative division of a city or borough, typically represented by a councillor or councillors.

3》 a child or young person under the care and control of a guardian appointed by their parents or a court.

    ↘archaic guardianship.

4》 any of the internal ridges or bars in a lock which prevent the turning of any key without corresponding grooves.

    ↘the corresponding grooves in the bit of a key.

5》 historical an area of ground enclosed by the encircling walls of a fortress or castle.

6》 archaic the action of keeping a lookout for danger.

verb

1》 (ward someone/thing off) prevent someone or something from harming or affecting one.

2》 archaic guard; protect.

Phrases

ward of court a child or young person for whom a guardian has been appointed by the Court of Chancery or who has become directly subject to the authority of that court.

Derivatives

wardship noun

Origin

OE weard, weardian 'keep safe, guard', of Gmc origin; reinforced in ME by Old North. Fr. warde (n.), warder (v.) 'guard'.