ἐξαμύνεσθαι

From LSJ

ἀγὼν πρόφασιν οὐκ ἐπιδέχεται οὐδὲ φιλία → no excuse is allowed by a contest or by a friendship

Source

Greek > English (Woodhouse Verbs Reversed)

(see also ἐξαμύνομαι): defend oneself against, drive off, ward off from oneself, ward off