\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. [R.]
         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. [Obs.]
         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. [Obs.] --Bacon.
         God is more powerful to exact subjection and to
         vindicate rebellion.                  --Bp. Pearson.
Syn: To assert; maintain; claim. See {Assert}.