Question of the Day #416

"Joint marketing allows partner companies to increase their visibility, ward off competition, and reduce overall marketing costs."
From the ninth paragraph of this article at Inc.com.

上記の文で、ward off の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "ward off" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


避ける、回避する、防ぐ、撃退する、かわす、受け流す

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to avoid being hit by (something)
—often used figuratively

Examples

• ward off a blow
• How will we ward off all these attackers?
• If you feel like you're getting a cold, these vitamin C tablets should help you to ward it off.
• These talismans were thought to ward off evil spirits.
• Mass burials are now under way in an effort to ward off an outbreak of cholera.