Alexein

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. A process of warding off or protecting against something harmful or undesirable is described
2. The act of defending or shielding oneself from external threats or negative influences is noted
3. Characterization of a defensive mechanism aimed at averting danger or harm is presented

Etymology: Ancient Greek "alexein" meant "to ward off" or "to keep away," and it is built from the verb "alkein," meaning "to defend or protect," with roots reaching back into the Greek of Homer's era. The most famous descendant is "alexipharmakon," a compound of "alexein" and "pharmakon" (drug, poison, charm) that named a remedy against poison. Greek writers used the word for medicines and charms that drove off venom, plague and bad luck. From the same root come words in English that still carry that protective sense. "Alexipharmic" and "alexipharmacal" were used for antidotes against poison, and the word-family shows how a single verb for warding off harm could feed a whole vocabulary of cures and amulets.

Synonyms: defend, guard, protect

Antonyms: attack, assault, harm