отбива́ться

verbreflexiveimperfective (partner отби́ться)uncommon

1.
to fight off, to beat off, to repulse, to defend oneself
Всю ночь он отбива́лся от голо́дной ста́и горя́щими голове́шками.
All night he fought off the hungry pack with burning brands.
Usually with от кого-чего.
2.
to resist, to struggle, to fend off
Эмма не хоте́ла раздева́ться сама́ и до́лго отбива́лась.
Emma did not want to undress herself and resisted for a long time.
Of resisting requests, questions or help rather than a physical attack.
3.
to fall behind, to become separated, to straggle
Ягнёнок постоя́нно отбива́лся от ста́да.
The lamb kept straying from the flock.
Of an animal or person leaving the group.
4.
(rare) to break off, to chip off, to get knocked off
Эма́ль на ста́рой кастрю́ле легко́ отбива́ется.
The enamel on the old pot chips off easily.
Of a handle, edge, enamel etc.

Examples

Он долго отбивался от назойливых вопросов журналистов.
He fended off the journalists’ persistent questions for a long time.
Почему Том не отбива́ется?
Why isn't Tom fighting back?
Даже кро́лик, за́гнанный в у́гол, будет отбива́ться.
Even a rabbit, if badgered into a corner, will fight back.

Imperative
ты	отбива́йся
вы	отбива́йтесь

Active present	отбива́ющийся	fighting back, fending off, resisting, repelling
Active past	отбива́вшийся	fending off, repelling, fighting back, defending oneself
Passive present	-
Passive past	-
Gerund present	отбива́ясь	while doing (present)
Gerund past	отбивавшись	while doing (past)

(Derived from бива́ть.)

Verb	Prefix	Meaning
отбива́ть	от-	to repel; to break off; to take away; to retake; to take away (the desire); to whet (a scythe)
отбива́ться	-	to fight off; to resist; to fall behind; to break off

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