A fiend.

To keep off; to prevent from entering or hitting; to ward off; to shut out; -- often with off; as, to fend off blows.

To act on the defensive, or in opposition; to resist; to parry; to shift off.

to hold someone off; to take care of yourself

try to manage without help; "The youngsters had to fend for themselves after their parents died"

withstand the force of something; "The trees resisted her"; "stand the test of time"; "The mountain climbers had to fend against the ice and snow"