ward
Definitions
A separate room or division in a hospital, usually for a particular type of patient.
病房；（医院的）病区。
An administrative district of a city or town, especially for elections.
（城镇的）行政区，选区。
A child or young person under the legal protection of a guardian or court.
受监护人（受监护人或法院法律保护的儿童或未成年人）。
To ward off: to keep something dangerous or unpleasant away.
（ward off）抵挡，挡开（危险或不快之物）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedward is the Germanic w- form of gard, 'to watch over, guard.' From 'watching' came its many senses: a hospital ward (a watched-over section), a city ward (a guarded district), a ward (a person under protection), and to 'ward off' (to guard against). Each keeps the core idea of watching or keeping safe.
Root gard still carries 11 more wordsWhy It Means This
One short word, many descendants of 'watching over.' A hospital ward is where patients are watched; an electoral ward is a district kept track of; a ward (the person) is someone watched over by a guardian. The verb 'ward off' is the most literal — to stand guard against a threat.
Common Collocations
- 1.hospital ward医院病房
- 2.ward off抵挡，驱避
- 3.maternity ward产科病房
- 4.ward of the court法院监护下的人
Example Sentences
- 1.
She was moved to the intensive care ward overnight.
- 2.
The candidate won every ward in the city.
- 3.
Garlic was once believed to ward off evil spirits.