protector

[ pruh-tek-ter ]
See synonyms for: protectorprotectors on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a person or thing that protects; defender; guardian.

  2. English History.

    • a person in charge of the kingdom during the sovereign's minority, incapacity, or absence.

    • (initial capital letter)Also called Lord Protector. the title of the head of the government during the period of the Protectorate, held by Oliver Cromwell (1653–58) and by Richard Cromwell, his son (1658–59).

Origin of protector

1
1325–75; <Late Latin (see protect, -tor); replacing Middle English protectour<Middle French

Other words from protector

  • pro·tec·tor·al, adjective
  • pro·tec·tor·less, adjective
  • pro·tec·tor·ship, noun
  • sub·pro·tec·tor, noun
  • sub·pro·tec·tor·ship, noun

Words Nearby protector

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How to use protector in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for protector (1 of 2)

protector

/ (prəˈtɛktə) /


noun
  1. a person or thing that protects

  2. history a person who exercised royal authority during the minority, absence, or incapacity of the monarch

Derived forms of protector

  • protectoral, adjective
  • protectress, fem n

British Dictionary definitions for Protector (2 of 2)

Protector

/ (prəˈtɛktə) /


noun
  1. short for Lord Protector, the title borne by Oliver Cromwell (1653–58) and by Richard Cromwell (1658–59) as heads of state during the period known as the Protectorate

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