protect
protect (prə-tĕktʹ) verb, transitive
protected, protecting, protects
1. To keep from being damaged, attacked, stolen, or injured; guard. See synonyms at defend.
2. To help (domestic industry) with tariffs or quotas on imported goods.
3. To assure payment of (drafts or notes, for example) by setting aside funds.
[Middle English protecten, from Latin prōtegere, prōtēct- : prō-, in front. See pro-1 + tegere, to cover.]
protectʹingly adverb