Vin·di·cate v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vindicated p. pr. & vb. n. Vindicating.]
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.
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.
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.
4. To maintain, as a law or a cause, by overthrowing enemies.
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.
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.
Syn: -- To assert; maintain; claim. See Assert.
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vindicated
adj : freed from any question of guilt; "is absolved from all
blame"; "was now clear of the charge of cowardice";
"his official honor is vindicated" [syn: absolved, clear,
cleared, exculpated, exonerated]