[pro.tect] vt [ME, fr. L protectus, pp. of protegere, fr. pro- in front + tegere to cover--more at pro-, thatch] (15c) 1: to cover or shield from exposure, injury, or destruction: guard
2: to maintain the status or integrity of esp. through financial or legal guarantees: as a: to save from contingent financial loss b: to foster or shield from infringement or restriction "salesmen with ~ed territories"; specif: to restrict competition for (as domestic industries) by means of tariffs or trade controls syn see defend -- pro.tec.tive adj -- pro.tec.tive.ly adv -- pro.tec.tive.ness n