ἐξαμύνεσθαι
From LSJ
ἀγὼν πρόφασιν οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται οὐδὲ φιλία → no excuse is allowed by a contest or by a friendship
Greek > English (Woodhouse Verbs Reversed)
(see also ἐξαμύνομαι): defend oneself against, drive off, ward off from oneself, ward off