Sentence:  Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to <WSD>ward off</WSD> the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To parry, or turn aside.