protector

[ pruh-tek-ter ]
/ prəˈtɛk tər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR protector ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that protects; defender; guardian.
English History.
  1. a person in charge of the kingdom during the sovereign's minority, incapacity, or absence.
  2. (initial capital letter)Also called Lord Protector. the title of the head of the government during the period of the Protectorate, held by Oliver Cromwell (1653–58) and by Richard Cromwell, his son (1658–59).

Origin of protector

1325–75; < Late Latin (see protect, -tor); replacing Middle English protectour < Middle French

OTHER WORDS FROM protector

Words nearby protector

protective custody, protective laryngeal reflex, protective slope, protective system, protective tariff, protector, protectorate, protectory, protectress, protei, proteid

Words related to protectorship

patronage, backing, aegis, sponsor, aid, auspices, patron, angel, support, benefactor, advocacy, tutelage, guardianship, egis

Example sentences from the Web for protectorship

British Dictionary definitions for protectorship (1 of 2)

protector
/ (prəˈtɛktə) /

noun

a person or thing that protects
history a person who exercised royal authority during the minority, absence, or incapacity of the monarch

Derived forms of protector

protectoral, adjective protectress, fem n

British Dictionary definitions for protectorship (2 of 2)

Protector
/ (prəˈtɛktə) /

noun

short for Lord Protector, the title borne by Oliver Cromwell (1653–58) and by Richard Cromwell (1658–59) as heads of state during the period known as the Protectorate