protector

American  

[pruh-tek-ter] / prəˈtɛk tər /

noun

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

2. English History.

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

   2. Also called Lord Protector.  (initial capital letter) 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).

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protector ¹ British  

/ 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

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Protector ² British  

/ 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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Other Word Forms

• protectoral adjective
• protectorless adjective
• protectorship noun
• protectress noun
• subprotector noun
• subprotectorship noun

Etymology

Origin of protector

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

Example Sentences

"But actually, I'm completely and utterly lost without him. He's my best friend. He is my companion, he's my protector. He's allowed me to make new friends and get out and about."

From BBC

The teaser reveals Prince Adam had been sent to Earth for his safety, but now his home planet needs him to embrace his destiny as its protector.

From Los Angeles Times

But there is another side to the executive: the pragmatic protector of the stock price.

From Barron's

We’d delivered Abraham Lincoln safely to Washington and into the history books as the protector of the Union.

From Literature

She was a magnificent theater, an imposing creation, a muse and protector both, a home for the stories of her makers.

From Literature

Related Words

• benefactor
• bulwark
• defender
• partisan
• patron
• savior