/ prəˈtektə(r); NAmE / noun
a person, an organization or a thing that protects sb/sth :
I regarded him as my friend and protector.
the company's image as a protector of the environment
Hard hats and ear protectors are provided.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French protectour , from late Latin protector , from protect- covered in front, from the verb protegere , from pro- in front + tegere to cover.