Protect

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pɹəˈtÉ›kt/
• Rhymes: -É›kt

Origin

Attested in English since 1530, from Latin protectus ("covered, protected"), past participle of protegere ("to cover the front, protect") from pro- + tegere ("to cover"). More at thatch. Displaced native Middle English helien, forhelian ("to conceal, protect") (from Old English helian, forhelian ("to conceal, cover, hide"), Middle English bischilden, beschielden ("to protect") (from Middle English schild, shelde ("shield")), Middle English berwen, bergen ("to protect, preserve") (from Old English beorgan ("to protect, preserve")), Middle English mundien, mounden ("to protect") (from Old English mundian ("to protect, watch over, act as guardian over")).

Full definition of protect

Verb

1. To keep safe; to defend; to guard; to prevent harm coming to.
• 2012-03, William E. Carter, Merri Sue Carter, The British Longitude Act Reconsidered, But was it responsible governance to pass the Longitude Act without other efforts to protect British seamen? Or might it have been subterfuge—a disingenuous attempt to shift attention away from the realities of their life at sea.

Synonyms

• beshield

Derived terms

• protection
• To protect and to serve