the act of guarding; watch; guard; guardianship; specifically, a guarding during the day.  see the note under watch, n., 1.-one who, or that which, guards; garrison; defender; protector; means of guarding; defense; protection.-the state of being under guard or guardianship; confinement under guard; the condition of a child under a guardian; custody.-a guarding or defensive motion or position, as in fencing; guard.-one who, or that which, is guarded.-a minor or person under the care of a guardian; as, a ward in chancery.-a division of a county.-a division, district, or quarter of a town or city.-a division of a forest.-a division of a hospital; as, a fever ward.-a projecting ridge of metal in the interior of a lock, to prevent the use of any key which has not a corresponding notch for passing it.-a notch or slit in a key corresponding to a ridge in the lock which it fits; a ward notch.-to keep in safety; to watch; to guard; formerly, in a specific sense, to guard during the day time.-to defend; to protect.-to defend by walls, fortifications, etc.-to fend off; to repel; to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches; -- usually followed by off.-to be vigilant; to keep guard.-to act on the defensive with a weapon.