Protect

• POS: Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: pro=tect

CIDE DICTIONARY

Protect, v. t. [L. protectus, p. p. of protegere, literally, to cover in front; pro before + tegere to cover. See Tegument.].

 To cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve in safety; as, a father protects his children.  [1913 Webster]
"The gods of Greece protect you!"  [1913 Webster]

Syn. -- To guard; shield; preserve. See Defend.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Protect, 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.

Etymology

L protegere protect- (as PRO-(1), tegere cover)

THESAURUS

Protect

abet, advocate, aid, arm, armor, assist, avail, bail out, bear a hand, befriend, benefit, bless, bulwark, care for, champion, cloak, comfort, compass about, conserve, copyright, cover, cushion, defend, do good, doctor, ease, ensure, favor, fence, fend, flank, foster, give a boost, give a hand, give a lift, give help, guarantee, guard, guard against, harbor, haven, help, insure, keep, keep alive, keep from harm, keep intact, keep inviolate, keep safe, keep up, lend a hand, lend one aid, maintain, make safe, make sure, mind, nestle, not destroy, not endanger, not expend, not use up, not waste, nurture, patent, play safe, police, preserve, proffer aid, rally, reclaim, redeem, register, relieve, remedy, render assistance, rescue, restore, resuscitate, revive, ride shotgun for, safeguard, save, screen, secure, set up, shelter, shield, shroud, spare, succor, support, sustain, take care of, take in tow, take precautions, tend, underwrite, uphold, watch over

ROGET THESAURUS

Protect

Safety

VB be safe, keep one's head above water, tide over, save one's bacon, ride out the storm, weather the storm, light upon one's feet, land on one's feet, bear a charmed life, escape, make safe, render safe Adj, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter.

N safety, security, surety, impregnability, invulnerability, invulnerableness, danger past, danger over, storm blown over, coast clear, escape, means of escape, blow valve, safety valve, release valve, sniffing valve, safeguard, palladium, guardianship, wardship, wardenship, tutelage, custody, safekeeping, preservation, protection, auspices, safe-conduct, escort, convoy, guard, shield, guardian angel, tutelary god, tutelary deity, tutelary saint, genius loci, protector, guardian, warden, warder, preserver, custodian, duenna, chaperon, third person, watchdog, bandog, Cerberus, watchman, patrolman, policeman, cop, dick, fuzz, smokey, peeler, zarp, sentinel, sentry, scout, garrison, guardship, refuge &c, anchor, precaution, quarantine, cordon sanitaire, confidence, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter, Adj, safe, secure, sure, in safety, in security, on the safe side, under the shield of, under the shade of, under the wing of, under the shadow of one's wing, under cover, under lock and key, out of danger, out of the woods, out of the meshes, out of harm's way, unharmed, unscathed, on sure ground, at anchor, high and dry, above water, unthreatened, unmolested, protected, cavendo tutus, panoplied, snug, seaworthy, weatherproof, waterproof, fireproof, defensible, tenable, proof against, invulnerable, unassailable, unattackable, impenetrable, impregnable, imperdible, inexpugnable, Achillean, safe and sound, scathless, unhazarded, not dangerous, unthreatening, harmless, friendly (cooperative), protecting, protective, guardian, tutelary, preservative, trustworthy, ex abundanti cautela, with impunity, all's well, salva res est, suave mari magno, a couvert, e terra alterius spectare laborem, Dieu vous garde.