protect

 
Pronunciation: /prəˈtɛkt/

verb

[with object]
  • keep safe from harm or injury: he tried to protect Kelly from the attack [no object]: use a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB
  • (often as adjective protected) aim to preserve (a threatened species or area) by legislating against collecting, hunting, or development: the natterjack toad is a protected species logging is continuing in protected areas in violation of an international agreement
  • Economics shield (a domestic industry) from competition by imposing import duties on foreign goods: Japan’s Ministry of Trade & Industry erected barriers to protect the country’s infant computer industry
  • Computing restrict access to or use of (data or a memory location): security products are designed to protect information from unauthorized access

Derivatives

protectable

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin protect- 'covered in front', from the verb protegere, from pro- 'in front' + tegere 'to cover'