I.a.
I. To rush out to fight, go forth to fight, to make sallies or sorties: “ipsi ex silvis rari propugnabant,” Caes. B. G. 5, 9; cf. id. ib. 2. 7; id. B. C. 2, 8.—
II. To fight or contend for, to defend a thing (class.; syn.: tutor, defendo).
A. Lit.: “uno tempore propugnare et munire,” Caes. B. C. 3, 45: “pro suo partu,” Cic. Tusc. 5, 27, 79: “multos e muris propugnantes hastā transfixit,” Curt. 4, 4, 11. —
(β).
With dat. (post-class.): “propugnare fratri,” App. M. 9, p. 234, 28: “puero misello,” id. ib. 7, p. 200, 13.—
B. Trop.: “pro aequitate,” Cic. Off. 1, 19, 62: “pro salute,” id. Fam. 11, 16, 2.—With acc. (post-Aug.), to defend: “absentiam suam,” Suet. Caes. 23: “dum quae libidine deliquerant, ambitu propugnant,” Tac. A. 13, 31 fin.; 15, 13: “pectora parmā,” Stat. Th. 2. 584; 4, 110.