I. ˈgärd noun
Etymology: Middle English garde, from Anglo-French garde, guarde, warde, from garder, guarder, warder, to guard, defend, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wartēn to watch, take care — more at ward
Date: 15th century
1. : one assigned to protect or oversee another: as
a. : a person or a body of persons on sentinel duty
b. plural : troops attached to the person of the sovereign
c. British : conductor b
2.
a. : a defensive state or attitude
asked him out when his guard was down
b. : a defensive position (as in boxing)
3.
a. : the act or duty of protecting or defending
b. : the state of being protected : protection
4. : a protective or safety device ; specifically : a device for protecting a machine part or the operator of a machine
5. archaic : precaution
6.
a. : a position or player next to the center in a football line
b. : a player stationed in the backcourt in basketball
•
- off guard
- on guard
II. verb
Date: 1500
transitive verb
1. : to protect an edge of with an ornamental border
2.
a. : to protect from danger especially by watchful attention : make secure
police guard ing our cities
b. : to stand at the entrance of as if on guard or as a barrier
c. : to tend to carefully : preserve , protect
guard ed their privacy
3. archaic : escort
4.
a. : to watch over so as to prevent escape, disclosure, or indiscretion
b. : to attempt to prevent (an opponent) from playing effectively or scoring
intransitive verb
: to watch by way of caution or defense : stand guard
Synonyms: see defend
• guard·er noun