Vin″di‐cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Vindicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Vindicating.] [L. vindicatus, p. p. of vindicare to lay claim to, defend, avenge. See Vengeance.] 1. To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.
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. Milton.
5. To liberate; to set free; to deliver.
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. Bacon.
God is more powerful to exact subjection and to vindicate rebellion. Bp. Pearson.
Syn. — To assert; maintain; claim. See Assert.