protecˈtor noun

1. Someone who protects from injury or oppression
2. A protective device
3. A means of protection
4. A guard
5. A guardian
6. A regent
7. (usu with cap) the head of the state during the 17c English Commonwealth (historical)

protecˈtoral adjective

Of a protector or a regent

protecˈtorāte noun

1. The position, office, term of office or government of a protector
2. (with cap) the Commonwealth period (historical)
3. Guardianship
4. Authority over a vassal state
5. The relation assumed by a state over a territory which it administers without annexation and without admitting the inhabitants to citizenship

protectorial /prō-tek-tōrˈi-əl or -törˈi-əl/ adjective

protecˈtorless adjective

protecˈtorship noun

protecˈtory noun

An institution for destitute or delinquent children

protecˈtress or protecˈtrix noun

A female protector

protected state noun

A state under the protection of another state but less subject to the control of that state than a protectorate

protection money noun

Money extorted from shopkeepers, businessmen, etc as a bribe for leaving their property, business, etc unharmed

protective coloration noun

Similarity of animals' colour to that of their natural surroundings, which helps to prevent them from being seen by their enemies

protective custody noun

Detention of a person ostensibly for his or her personal safety but often in fact from doubt as to his or her possible actions eg as an enemy of the state

protective tariff noun

An import tax designed to protect the home markets rather than raise revenue

cathodic protection see under cathode