. A secret organization in the United States, formed in Iowa in 1887, ostensibly for the protection of American institutions by keeping Roman Catholics out of public office. Abbrev. commonly to A. P .A. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Protected; p. pr. & vb. n. Protecting. ] [ L. protectus, p. p. of protegere, literally, to cover in front; pro before + tegere to cover. See Tegument. ] To cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to guard; to preserve in safety; as, a father protects his children. [ 1913 Webster ]

The gods of Greece protect you! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To guard; shield; preserve. See Defend. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. By way of protection; in a protective manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

To your protection I commend me, gods. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which protects or preserves from injury; a defense; a shield; a refuge. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let them rise up . . . and be your protection. Deut. xxxii. 38. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A writing that protects or secures from molestation or arrest; a pass; a safe-conduct; a passport. [ 1913 Webster ]

He . . . gave them protections under his hand. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Preservation; defense; guard; shelter; refuge; security; safety. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Polit. Econ.) The doctrine or policy of protectionists. See Protection, 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Polit. Econ.) One who favors protection. See Protection, 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. protectif. ] Affording protection; sheltering; defensive. “ The favor of a protective Providence.” Feltham. [ 1913 Webster ]

Protective coloring (Zool.), 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being protective. W. Pater. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

For the world's protector shall be known. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Eng. Hist.) One having the care of the kingdom during the king's minority; a regent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Is it concluded he shall be protector ! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lord Protector (Eng. Hist.), the title of Oliver Cromwell as supreme governor of the British Commonwealth (1653-1658). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a protector; protectorial; as, protectoral power. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. protectorat. ] 1. Government by a protector; -- applied especially to the government of England by Oliver Cromwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The authority assumed by a superior power over an inferior or a dependent one, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. L. protectorius. ] Same as Protectoral. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having no protector; unprotected. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office of a protector or regent; protectorate. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ NL. protectrix. ] A woman who protects. [ 1913 Webster ]