ward-n; 10 Senses

Sense Number 1: a person under the guardianship or custody of another

Commentary: WARD[+entity][+person][+under_care][+custodial][+official]

Examples:
These orphans are wards of the state.
The court declared that the child is now a ward of his wealthy uncle.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: administrative district of a city

Commentary: WARD[+entity][+unit][+district][+administrative][+of_city]

Examples:
Volunteers were out canvassing these wards before the last election.
John used to be a councilor in one of the bigger wards of the city.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: functional unit of a hospital

Commentary: WARD[+entity][+unit][+section][+function][+of_hospital]

Examples:
The nurse's new rotation is in the oncology ward.
They are allowed to bring comfort pets into the children's ward at the local hospital.
We heard Tom was in the emergency ward last night.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: cell block in a prison

Commentary: WARD[+entity][+unit][+block][+cell][+of_prison]

Examples:
There has been a hunger strike in one of the prison wards.
Each ward contains 54 cells which each hold two prisoners.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4

Sense Number 5: notched metal ridge in a keyhole that a key fits into

Commentary: WARD[+entity][+artifact][+ridge][+notched][+of_keyhole]

Examples:
This old key does not fit the ward of that door's keyhole.
The locksmith said the ward of the door lock had somehow become damaged.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 6: the grounds inside the encircling wall of a fortress

Commentary: WARD[+location][+grounds][+enclosed][+behind_wall][+of_fortress]
NOTE: historical usage

Examples:
The guide showed us around the ward of the 13th-century castle.
The livestock stayed inside the walls on the ward during the siege of the fortress.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 6

Sense Number 7: the state of being in official custody

Commentary: WARD[+state][+social][+in_custody][+official]
NOTE: archaic usage

Examples:
These peasants are in the ward and care of the Crown.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 8: anything which serves a protective role

Commentary: WARD[+relation][+role][+protective]
NOTE: can refer to objects or actions, the central meaning is that it serve a protective role

Examples:
These pendants are used as wards against the evil eye.
Garlic is said to be an effective ward against vampires.
They bowed to the idol every morning as a ward against bad luck.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 7

Sense Number 9: the act of guarding something

Commentary: WARD[+activity][+guarding] Note; archaic usage

Examples:
The king has ordered his guards to keep ward at the four gates.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 10: a defensive posture or motion in fencing

Commentary: WARD[+event][+posture][+defensive][+fencing]

Examples:
Bob's skillful ward of Mary's thrust of her epee surprised her.
Our fencing instructor taught us two new wards today.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 7