■ verb
1》 keep safe from harm or injury.
↘[often as adjective ~ed ] aim to preserve (a threatened plant or animal species) by legislating against collecting or hunting.
2》 Economics shield (a domestic industry) from competition by imposing import duties on foreign goods.
3》 provide funds to meet (a bill of exchange or commercial draft).
Derivatives
~able adjective
Origin
ME: from L. ~- , protegere 'cover in front'.