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protector
/prəˈtɛktər/
one who guards
The knight was a loyal protector of the kingdom.
The knight defended the kingdom loyally.
formal
A person or thing that protects someone or something from harm or danger.
She became a protector of endangered species.
She began defending endangered animals.
A helmet acts as a protector for the head.
A helmet safeguards the head from injury.
Commonly used in legal, military, or safety contexts.
Collocations
child protectora person or organization that safeguards childrensolar protectora substance that shields skin from sun damagelegal protectora guardian appointed by law
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'protege'
A 'protector' defends or guards someone, while a 'protege' is someone who is protected or guided by a mentor.
Gold Rule
Use 'protector' for active defense
Prefer 'protector' when the subject takes deliberate action to defend, e.g., 'a bodyguard is a protector.' For passive shielding, 'shield' or 'barrier' may fit better.
Word Origin
From Latin *protector*, from *protectus* (past participle of *protegere*), meaning 'to cover in front, protect,' from *pro-* (before) + *tegere* (to cover).
Usage Notes
Used for both animate (people) and inanimate (objects) protectors. Often implies active defense rather than passive shielding.
Word Breakdown
pro-
before, in front
prefix-tect-
to cover
root-or
one who performs an action
suffixEnglish Dictionary