I. prəˈtekshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English proteccioun, from Middle French protection, from Late Latin protection-, protectio, from Latin protectus (past participle of protegere to protect) + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : a writing that protects or secures from molestation or arrest : passport , safe-conduct
2. : the act of protecting : the state or fact of being protected : shelter from danger or harm
a sense of protection and security in the life of his home — Archibald Marshall
huddled in the lee of the rock, trying to get a little protection from the wind — H.D.Quillin
3.
a. : one that protects
an umbrella is protection in a sudden shower
b. : the oversight or support usually of one that is smaller and weaker
government protection for small business
her brother's protection was very welcome on the way home from school
4.
a. : the freeing of the producers of a country from foreign competition in their home market by the imposition of high duties, quantitative trade controls, or exchange controls to restrict the importation of goods of foreign origin
b. : the theory, policy, or system favoring or practicing the imposition of such controls — compare american system , free trade
5.
a. : immunity from prosecution obtained by some criminal classes (as proprietors of gambling houses) through bribes to officials or political bosses
b. : money paid to racketeers under threat of depredation
sold protection to everyone from the proprietors of the neighborhood delicatessens to the owners of the town's plushiest clubs — Polly Adler
6. : coverage 2c
7. : a plant-disease control measure in which a protectant is used
II. noun
: anchoring equipment placed in cracks for safety while rock climbing