Part 615

Shak.

Syn. -- To guard; shield; preserve. See Defend.

Pro*tect"ing*ly (?), adv. By way of protection; in a protective manner.

Pro*tec"tion (?), n. [L. protectio: cf. F. protection.] 1. The act of protecting, or the state of being protected; preservation from loss, injury, or annoyance; defense; shelter; as, the weak need protection.

To your protection I commend me, gods.

Shak.

2. That which protects or preserves from injury; a defense; a shield; a refuge.

Let them rise up . . . and be your protection.

Deut. xxxii. 38.

3. A writing that protects or secures from molestation or arrest; a pass; a safe-conduct; a passport.

He . . . gave them protections under his hand.

Macaulay.

4. (Polit. Econ.) A theory, or a policy, of protecting the producers in a country from foreign competition in the home market by the imposition of such discriminating duties on goods of foreign production as will restrict or prevent their importation; -- opposed to free trade.

Writ of protection. (Law) (a) A writ by which the king formerly exempted a person from arrest; -- now disused. [Eng.] Blackstone. (b) A judicial writ issued to a person required to attend court, as party, juror, etc., intended to secure him from arrest in coming, staying, and returning.

Syn. -- Preservation; defense; guard; shelter; refuge; security; safety.

Pro*tec"tion*ism (?), n. (Polit. Econ.) The doctrine or policy of protectionists. See Protection, 4.

Pro*tec"tion*ist, n. (Polit. Econ.) One who favors protection. See Protection, 4.

Pro*tect"ive (?), a. [Cf. F. protectif.] Affording protection; sheltering; defensive. " The favor of a protective Providence." Feltham.

Protective coloring (Zoˆl.), coloring which serves for the concealment and preservation of a living organism. Cf. Mimicry. Wallace. -- Protective tariff (Polit. Econ.), a tariff designed to secure protection (see Protection, 4.), as distinguished from a tariff designed to raise revenue. See Tariff, and Protection, 4.

Pro*tect"ive*ness, n. The quality or state of being protective. W. Pater.

Pro*tect"or (?), n. [L.: cf. F. protecteur.] 1. One who, or that which, defends or shields from injury, evil, oppression, etc.; a defender; a guardian; a patron.

For the world's protector shall be known.

Waller.

2. (Eng. Hist.) One having the care of the kingdom during the king's minority; a regent.

Is it concluded he shall be protector !

Shak.

3. (R. C. Ch.) A cardinal, from one of the more considerable Roman Catholic nations, who looks after the interests of his people at Rome; also, a cardinal who has the same relation to a college, religious order, etc.

Lord Protector (Eng. Hist.), the title of Oliver Cromwell as supreme governor of the British Commonwealth (1653-1658).