The difference between Ward and Ward off

Ward as a noun (archaic, or, obsolete):

A guard; a guardian or watchman.

Ward as a noun (obsolete):

Protection, defence. A guard or watchman; now replaced by warden. The action of a watchman; monitoring, surveillance (usually in phrases keep ward etc.). Guardianship, especially of a child or prisoner. An enchantment or spell placed over a designated area, or a social unit, that prevents any tresspasser from entering, approaching or even from being able to locate said protected premises. Land tenure through military service. A guarding or defensive motion or position.

Ward as a noun (archaic):

A protected place, and by extension, a type of subdivision. An area of a castle, corresponding to a circuit of the walls. A section or subdivision of a prison. An administrative division of a borough, city or council. A division of a forest. A subdivision of the LDS Church, smaller than and part of a stake, but larger than a branch. A part of a hospital, with beds, where patients reside.

Ward as a noun (obsolete):

A person under guardianship. A minor looked after by a guardian. An underage orphan.

Ward as a noun:

An object used for guarding. The ridges on the inside of a lock, or the incisions on a key.

Ward as a verb (transitive):

To keep in safety, to watch over, to guard.

Ward as a verb (transitive):

To defend, to protect.

Ward as a verb (transitive):

To fend off, to repel, to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches; -- usually followed by off.

Ward as a verb (intransitive):

To be vigilant; to keep guard.

Ward as a verb (intransitive):

To act on the defensive with a weapon.

Ward off as a verb (transitive):

To parry, or turn aside.

Ward off as a verb (transitive):

To avert or prevent.