protect.html - v.tr.
1 (often foll. by from, against) keep (a person, thing, etc.) safe; defend; guard (goggles protected her eyes from dust; guards protected the queen).
2 Econ. shield (home industry) from competition by imposing import duties on foreign goods.
3 Brit. provide funds to meet (a bill, draft, etc.).
4 provide (machinery etc.) with appliances to prevent injury from it. [L protegere protect- (as PRO-(1), tegere cover)]

protect.html - n.
1 a the act or an instance of protecting. b the state of being protected; defence (affords protection against the weather). c a thing, person, or animal that provides protection (bought a dog as protection).
2 (also protectionism) Econ. the theory or practice of protecting home industries.
3 colloq. a immunity from molestation obtained by payment to gangsters etc. under threat of violence. b (in full protection money) the money so paid, esp. on a regular basis.
4 = safe conduct.
5 archaic the keeping of a woman as a mistress.

protectionist n. [ME f. OF protection or LL protectio (as PROTECT)]

protect.html - adj. & n.
topdash.adj.
1 protecting; intended or intending to protect.
2 (of food) protecting against deficiency diseases. --n.

something that protects, esp. a condom.

protective clothing clothing worn to shield the body from dangerous substances or a hostile environment. protective colouring colouring disguising or camouflaging a plant or animal. protective custody the detention of a person for his or her own protection.

protectively adv. protectiveness n.

protect.html - n.
(fem. protectress)
1 a a person who protects. b a guardian or patron.
2 hist. a regent in charge of a kingdom during the minority, absence, etc. of the sovereign.
3 (often in comb.) a thing or device that protects (chest-protector).
4 (Protector) (in full Lord Protector of the Commonwealth) hist. the title of Oliver Cromwell 1653-58 and his son Richard Cromwell 1658-59.

protectoral adj. protectorship n. [ME f. OF protecteur f. LL protector (as PROTECT)]

protect.html - n.
1 a a State that is controlled and protected by another. b such a relation of one State to another.
2 hist. a the office of the protector of a kingdom or State. b the period of this, esp. in England under the Cromwells 1653-59.

protect.html - n.
any shrub of the genus Protea native to S. Africa, with conelike flower-heads. [mod.L f. PROTEUS, with ref. to the many species]