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Added 9 October 2026

protect

/pɹəˈtɛkt/ verb

In Latin: protego, defendo, tutor Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about protect at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage.
Weatherbeater protects your roof from the rain
Use tariffs to favor domestic industry.

Origin

Attested in English since 1530, from Latin prōtēctus (“covered, protected”), past participle of prōtegō, prōtegere (“to cover the front, protect”) from prō, prō- (“before, in front of”) + tegō, tegere (“to cover”), see tegument. Largely displaced native Middle English shelden, from Old English sċildan (“to protect,” literally “to shield”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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