ward

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 a separate room or area in a hospital for people with the same type of medical condition: a maternity / surgical / psychiatric / children's ward 2 (in Britain) one of the areas into which a city is divided and which elects and is represented by a member of the local council 3 (especially law) a person, especially a child, who is under the legal protection of a court of law or another person (called a GUARDIAN): The child was made a ward of court. verb PHRASALVERBS ward sb/sth<->off to protect or defend yourself against danger, illness, attack, etc: to ward off criticism / intruders * She put up her hands to ward him off.