n. (fem. protectress) 1 a a person who protects. b a guardian or patron. 2 hist. a regent in charge of a kingdom during the minority, absence, etc. of the sovereign. 3 (often in comb.) a thing or device that protects (chest-protector). 4 (Protector) (in full Lord Protector of the Commonwealth) hist. the title of Oliver Cromwell 1653-58 and his son Richard Cromwell 1658-59. protectoral adj. protectorship n.
[ ME f. OF protecteur f. LL protector (as PROTECT) ]