American Dictionary of the English Language

VINDICA'TION, noun [Latin vindico.]

1. The defense of any thing, or a justification against denial or censure, or against objections or accusations; as the vindication of opinions or of a creed; the vindication of the Scriptures against the objections and cavils of infidels.

2. The act of supporting by proof or legal process; the proving of any thing to be just; as the vindication of a title, claim or right.

3. Defense by force or otherwise; as the vindication of the rights of man; the vindication of our liberties or the rights of conscience.