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Definition of Protect - 3 dictionary results

pro⋅tect

  [pruh-tekt]
Use Protect in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
2. Economics. to guard (the industry or an industry of a nation) from foreign competition by imposing import duties.
3. to provide funds for the payment of (a draft, note, etc.).
–verb (used without object)
4. to provide, or be capable of providing, protection: a floor wax that protects as well as shines.
Origin:
1520–30; < L prōtēctus, ptp. of prōtegere to cover in front, equiv. to prō- pro- 1 + teg-, s. of tegere to cover (akin to toga, thatch ) + -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:
pro⋅tect⋅i⋅ble, pro⋅tect⋅a⋅ble, adjective
pro⋅tect⋅i⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, pro⋅tect⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun

Synonyms:
1. screen, shelter. See defend.

Antonyms:
1. attack.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Protect
pro·tect   (prə-těkt')   
tr.v.   pro·tect·ed, pro·tect·ing, pro·tects

  1. To keep from being damaged, attacked, stolen, or injured; guard. See Synonyms at defend.

  2. To help (domestic industry) with tariffs or quotas on imported goods.

  3. To assure payment of (drafts or notes, for example) by setting aside funds.

  4. Sports To attempt to hold (a lead) by playing careful defense and avoiding risky plays.

  5. Baseball

    1. To swing at a pitch near (home plate) in order to avoid being called out on strikes.

    2. To swing at a pitch so as to give (a base runner) a better chance of advancing.


[Middle English protecten, from Latin prōtegere, prōtēct- : prō-, in front; see pro-1 + tegere, to cover; see (s)teg- in Indo-European roots.]
pro·tect'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pro·tect
Function: transitive verb
1 : to shield from injury or harm <protecting public health and safety>
2 : to secure or preserve against encroachment, infringement, restriction, or violation : maintain the status or integrity of esp. through legal or constitutional guarantees <protect a work against copyright infringement> protects speech>
3 : to restrict competition for (as domestic industries) by means of tariffs or trade controls —pro·tect·able or pro·tect·ible adjective
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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