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definitions

protect

[pruh-tekt]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR protect ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
Economics. to guard (the industry or an industry of a nation) from foreign competition by imposing import duties.
to provide funds for the payment of (a draft, note, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to provide, or be capable of providing, protection: a floor wax that protects as well as shines.

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RELATED WORDS

guarded, guaranteed, sheltered, secured, preserved, disguised, shaded, harbored, fostered, cherished, ensconced, immune, safe

Nearby words

  1. protean,
  2. proteas,
  3. protease,
  4. protease inhibitor,
  5. protease inhibitors,
  6. protectant,
  7. protected,
  8. protected sex,
  9. protectee,
  10. protecter

Origin of protect

1520–30; < Latin prōtēctus, past participle of prōtegere to cover in front, equivalent to prō- pro-1 + teg-, stem of tegere to cover (akin to toga, thatch) + -tus past participle suffix
ANTONYMS FOR protect
1. attack.
SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR protect ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms

Synonym study

1. See defend.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for protected

British Dictionary definitions for protected

protect

verb (tr)

to defend from trouble, harm, attack, etc
economics to assist (domestic industries) by the imposition of protective tariffs on imports
commerce to provide funds in advance to guarantee payment of (a note, draft, etc)

Word Origin for protect

C16: from Latin prōtegere to cover before, from pro- 1 + tegere to cover
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for protected

protect

v.

mid-15c., from Latin protectus, past participle of protegere "to protect, cover in front" (see protection). International economics sense from 1789. Related: Protected; protecting.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper