Ward vs. Wart — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 5, 2024
Ward refers to a protective or defensive measure, or a hospital division, while wart is a small, hard, benign growth on the skin.
Difference Between Ward and Wart
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ward can denote an area within a hospital designated for specific types of patients or treatments, emphasizing its role in healthcare environments. In contrast, a wart is a skin condition caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus (HPV) family, leading to noncancerous growths.
As a verb, "to ward off" means to avert or prevent something, reflecting the term's protective connotations, such as in magical or physical defenses. Meanwhile, warts are typically regarded as a minor medical issue, often removed for cosmetic reasons or because they cause discomfort.
Ward also refers to individuals under the protection or guardianship of another, often used in legal contexts to describe minors or those under care. Warts, however, are purely physical manifestations and have no such relational or protective implications.
In historical and fantasy contexts, wards can be magical protections against harm or unauthorized entry. Warts have been surrounded by folklore and superstitions, but they remain firmly in the medical realm of dermatology.
Ward’s usage extends into architecture and urban planning, denoting districts or divisions, whereas warts are strictly biological, affecting individuals regardless of geographical or societal divisions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A division within a hospital or protective measure.
A small, benign growth on the skin caused by HPV.
Nature
Can refer to areas, protection, or guardianship.
A medical condition affecting the skin.
Usage
Describes hospital divisions, protection methods, or individuals under guardianship.
Refers to physical growths on the skin.
Contexts
Healthcare, legal, magical, urban planning.
Dermatology, cosmetic concerns.
Connotations
Protective, caring, or administrative.
Medical, sometimes negative due to appearance.
Compare with Definitions
Ward
Someone, especially a minor, placed under the protection or guardianship of another.
As his guardian, the child became his ward.
Wart
Often treated with salicylic acid, freezing, or other dermatological procedures.
The dermatologist recommended freezing the wart for easy removal.
Ward
A room or area in a prison.
The prison ward was closely monitored to prevent any escape attempts.
Wart
Different types include common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts.
The doctor identified it as a plantar wart due to its location on the sole of the foot.
Ward
A division in a hospital dealing with a particular kind of patient.
After the surgery, she was moved to the post-operative ward for recovery.
Wart
A small, hard, benign growth on the skin caused by a virus.
He decided to have the wart on his hand removed.
Ward
An administrative or electoral district of a city.
She campaigned vigorously in her local ward to win the council seat.
Wart
Commonly appears on hands and feet but can occur anywhere on the body.
She noticed a wart developing on her knee.
Ward
To guard, protect, or defend.
The spell was used to ward off evil spirits.
Wart
Can be contagious through direct contact.
Sharing towels can lead to the spread of warts.
Ward
A room in a hospital usually holding six or more patients.
Wart
Warts are typically small, rough, hard growths that are similar in color to the rest of the skin. They typically do not result in other symptoms, except when on the bottom of the feet, where they may be painful.
Ward
A division in a hospital for the care of a particular group of patients
A maternity ward.
Wart
A hard rough lump growing on the skin, caused by infection with certain viruses and occurring typically on the hands or feet.
Ward
A division of a city or town, especially an electoral district, for administrative and representative purposes.
Wart
A similar growth or protuberance, as on a plant.
Ward
A district of some English and Scottish counties corresponding roughly to the hundred or the wapentake.
Wart
A genital wart.
Ward
One of the divisions of a penal institution, such as a prison.
Wart
One that resembles or is likened to a wart, especially in unattractiveness or smallness.
Ward
An open court or area of a castle or fortification enclosed by walls.
Wart
An imperfection; a flaw.
Ward
(Law) A minor or a person deemed legally incompetent.
Wart
(pathology) A type of deformed growth occurring on the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Ward
A person under the protection or care of another.
Wart
Any similar growth occurring in plants or animals, such as the parotoid glands in the back of toads.
Ward
The act of guarding or protecting; guardianship.
Wart
Any of the prefixes used in Hungarian notation.
Ward
The act of keeping watch or being a lookout.
Wart
A small, usually hard, tumor on the skin formed by enlargement of its vascular papillæ, and thickening of the epidermis which covers them.
Ward
The state of being under guard; custody.
Wart
An excrescence or protuberance more or less resembling a true wart; specifically (Bot.), a glandular excrescence or hardened protuberance on plants.
Ward
A defensive movement or attitude, especially in fencing; a guard.
Wart
Any small rounded protuberance (as on certain plants or animals)
Ward
The projecting ridge of a lock or keyhole that prevents the turning or insertion of a key other than the proper one.
Wart
(pathology) a firm abnormal elevated blemish on the skin; caused by a virus
Ward
The notch cut into a key that corresponds to such a ridge.
Ward
To guard; protect.
Ward
A warden; a guard; a guardian or watchman.
Ward
Protection, defence.
Ward
(obsolete) A guard or watchman; now replaced by warden.
Ward
The action of a watchman; monitoring, surveillance keep ward etc.}}
Ward
Guardianship, especially of a child or prisoner.
Ward
An enchantment or spell placed over a designated area or social unit, that prevents any tresspasser from entering; approaching; or even being able to locate said protected premises or demographic.
Ward
Land tenure through military service.
Ward
(fencing) A guarding or defensive motion or position.
Ward
A protected place, and by extension, a type of subdivision.
Ward
An area of a castle, corresponding to a circuit of the walls.
Ward
A section or subdivision of a prison.
Ward
An administrative division of a borough, city or council.
On our last visit to Tokyo, we went to Chiyoda ward and visited the Emperor's palace.
Ward
(UK) A division of a forest.
Ward
(Mormonism) A subdivision of the LDS Church, smaller than and part of a stake, but larger than a branch.
Ward
A part of a hospital, with beds, where patients reside.
Ward
A person under guardianship.
Ward
A minor looked after by a guardian.
After the trial, little Robert was declared a ward of the state.
Ward
(obsolete) An underage orphan.
Ward
An object used for guarding.
Ward
The ridges on the inside of a lock, or the incisions on a key.
Ward
(transitive) To keep in safety, to watch over, to guard.
Ward
(transitive) To defend, to protect.
Ward
(transitive) To fend off, to repel, to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches off}}
Ward
(intransitive) To be vigilant; to keep guard.
Ward
(intransitive) To act on the defensive with a weapon.
Ward
One who, or that which, guards; garrison; defender; protector; means of guarding; defense; protection.
For the best ward of mine honor.
The assieged castle's wardTheir steadfast stands did mightily maintain.
For want of other ward,He lifted up his hand, his front to guard.
Ward
The state of being under guard or guardianship; confinement under guard; the condition of a child under a guardian; custody.
And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard.
I must attend his majesty's command, to whom I am now in ward.
It is also inconvenient, in Ireland, that the wards and marriages of gentlemen's children should be in the disposal of any of those lords.
Ward
A guarding or defensive motion or position, as in fencing; guard.
Ward
One who, or that which, is guarded.
Ward
A minor or person under the care of a guardian; as, a ward in chancery.
Ward
A projecting ridge of metal in the interior of a lock, to prevent the use of any key which has not a corresponding notch for passing it.
The lock is made . . . more secure by attaching wards to the front, as well as to the back, plate of the lock, in which case the key must be furnished with corresponding notches.
Ward
A division of a county.
Ward
A division, district, or quarter of a town or city.
Throughout the trembling city placed a guard,Dealing an equal share to every ward.
Ward
A division of a forest.
Ward
A division of a hospital; as, a fever ward.
Ward
To keep in safety; to watch; to guard; formerly, in a specific sense, to guard during the day time.
Whose gates he found fast shut, no living wightTo ward the same.
Ward
To defend; to protect.
Tell him it was a hand that warded himFrom thousand dangers.
Ward
To defend by walls, fortifications, etc.
Ward
To fend off; to repel; to turn aside, as anything mischievous that approaches; - usually followed by off.
Now wards a felling blow, now strikes again.
The pointed javelin warded off his rage.
It instructs the scholar in the various methods of warding off the force of objections.
Ward
To be vigilant; to keep guard.
Ward
To act on the defensive with a weapon.
She redoubling her blows drove the stranger to no other shift than to ward and go back.
Ward
A person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
Ward
A district into which a city or town is divided for the purpose of administration and elections
Ward
Block forming a division of a hospital (or a suite of rooms) shared by patients who need a similar kind of care;
They put her in a 4-bed ward
Ward
English economist and conservationist (1914-1981)
Ward
English writer of novels who was an active opponent of the women's suffrage movement (1851-1920)
Ward
United States businessman who in 1872 established a successful mail-order business (1843-1913)
Ward
A division of a prison (usually consisting of several cells)
Ward
Watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect;
Guard my possessions while I'm away
Common Curiosities
What causes a wart?
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infecting the skin.
How is a hospital ward different from a room?
A hospital ward is a larger area that houses multiple patients, often with similar medical conditions, while a room typically accommodates one or two patients.
Can warts disappear on their own?
Yes, many warts can disappear without treatment, although this process can take months or even years.
Are there vaccines for the types of HPV that cause warts?
There are vaccines for certain strains of HPV, especially those causing genital warts and some types of cancer, but not all wart-causing HPV strains are preventable through vaccination.
Can anyone become a ward?
Typically, minors or individuals unable to make decisions for themselves due to mental or physical incapacity can become wards under legal guardianship.
What does it mean to ward off something?
To ward off something means to prevent or avoid it through protective action or measures.
Can wards be non-medical?
Yes, wards can refer to protective measures, guardianship situations, or administrative districts beyond healthcare settings.
Are all warts harmful?
No, most warts are benign and pose minimal health risks, though they can be bothersome or cosmetically undesirable.
What are the responsibilities of a guardian to a ward?
Guardians are responsible for the care, well-being, and legal decisions concerning their wards, especially in the case of minors or incapacitated individuals.
Is it safe to remove a wart at home?
While there are home treatment options, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
