◙ noun 1. a separate room in a hospital, typically one allocated to a particular type of patient • （尤指专为治疗某种病人而设的）病房，病室 »a children's ward. 儿童病房。 »[as modifier] a ward sister. 病室护士。 2. an administrative division of a city or borough that typically elects and is represented by a councillor or councilors • （城市的）行政区，选举区 3. a child or young person under the care and control of a guardian appointed by their parents or a court • 受监护人 [mass noun] (archaic)guardianship or the state of being subject to a guardian • [古] 监护；受监护的地位 »the ward and care of the Crown. 对王权的监护和照管。 4. [一般作wards] any of the internal ridges or bars in a lock which prevent the turning of any key which does not have grooves of corresponding form or size • （锁内）齿凸 the corresponding grooves in the bit of a key • （钥匙）齿凹 5. [mass noun] (archaic)the action of keeping a lookout for danger • [古] 监视，看守 »I saw them keeping ward at one of those huge gates. 我看见他们正在守卫其中的一扇大门。 6. (historical)an area of ground enclosed by the encircling walls of a fortress or castle • [史] 城堡内空地 ◙ verb, [with obj.] 1. (archaic)guard;protect • [古] 看守；保护 »it was his duty to ward the king. 他的职责是保卫国王。 2. admit (a patient) to a hospital ward • 接受（病人）入病房
【IDIOMS】
◘ ward of court 1. a child or young person for whom a guardian has been appointed by the Court of Chancery or who has become directly subject to the authority of that court • 受法院监护的青少年
【派生】
♦ wardship noun
【语源】
1. Old English weard (in sense 5, also 'body of guards'), weardian 'keep safe, guard', of Germanic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old Northern French warde (noun), warder (verb) 'guard'
【PHR V】
◘ ward someone/thing off 1. prevent from harming or affecting one • 挡开 »she put up a hand as if to ward him off. 她举起一只手，好像要将他挡开。