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.
adjective
- not protected or safe from trouble, harm, etcan unprotected position
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)
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.