01 v. t. To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.
imp. & p. p.
Vindicated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Vindicating
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1.
To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.[R.]“Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain? The birds of heaven shall vindicate their grain.” — Pope.
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2.
To maintain or defend with success; to prove to be valid; to assert convincingly; to sustain against assault; as, to vindicate a right, claim, or title.
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3.
To support or maintain as true or correct, against denial, censure, or objections; to defend; to justify.“When the respondent denies any proposition, the opponent must directly vindicate . . . that proposition.” — I. Watts.“Laugh where we must, be candid where we can, But vindicate the ways of God to man.” — Pope.
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4.
To maintain, as a law or a cause, by overthrowing enemies.
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5.
To liberate; to set free; to deliver.[Obs.]“I am confident he deserves much more That vindicates his country from a tyrant Than he that saves a citizen.” — Massinger.
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6.
To avenge; to punish; as, a war to vindicate or punish infidelity.[Obs.]“God is more powerful to exact subjection and to vindicate rebellion.” — Bp. Pearson.