protect English · revision 2853

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1456|origins=la tegō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /prəˈtekt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|protecten]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from an earlier adjective protecte “defended” (probably before 1425),^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) [[bor|la|prōtēctus]], the past participle of [[m|la|prōtegō|t=I cover in front, protect, defend]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from prō “before, in front” and [[m|la|tegō|t=I cover]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) which is related to English [[thatch]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline takes the parts to [[ine-pro|*per-|t=forward]] and [[ine-pro|*(s)teg-|t=to cover]].^(Etymonline) In some uses protect is probably a back-formation from the earlier [[protection]] (about 1350).^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “To defend or guard from harm or danger”: about 1456,^(Barnhart 1988) the early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and 1526 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word has been applied in a wide range of literal and figurative uses.^(Etymonline) Johnson (1755) defined it as “to defend; to cover from evil; to shield”.^(Johnson 1755) To act as official protector or guardian of someone is from 1593.^(OED 1989) In political economy, “to guard a domestic industry against foreign competition by tariffs”, it is from 1789,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and ''protectionist'' is from 1844.^(Barnhart 1988) To provide funds to meet a bill of exchange is from 1884,^(OED 1989) and to preserve a threatened plant or animal species by law from 1893.^(OED 1989) In computing, to protect data or a disk is to restrict access to it.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1425 – adjective, protected.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1456 – to defend from harm.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1593 – to act as guardian.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1789 – to shield an industry by tariffs.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1844 – ''protectionist''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1893 – to preserve a species.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To keep safe from harm, damage or attack; to [[guard]] or [[defend]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To help (a domestic industry) by [[tariff|alt=tariffs]] or quotas on imports.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To set aside funds to ensure payment of (a bill or note).^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To preserve (a species or area) by law.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[protectingly]]

+ * [[protectable]]

+ * [[protective]]

+ * [[protectively]]

+ * [[protectiveness]]

+ * [[protectible]]

+ * [[protectibility]]

+ * [[protection]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[protector]]

+ * [[protectorate]]

+ * [[protégé]]

+ * [[thatch]]

+ * [[detect]]

+ * [[tegument]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Gloucestershire dialect ''protect'' was used in error for “detect”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}