different between protect vs rearguard

English

Etymology

Attested in English since 1530, from Latin pr?t?ctus (“covered, protected”), past participle of pr?tegere (“to cover the front, protect”) from pr?, pr?- (“before, in front of”) +? tegere (“to cover”), see tegument. Displaced native Middle English shelden, from Old English s?ildan (”to protect,” literally ”to shield”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p???t?kt/
• Rhymes: -?kt

Verb

protect (third-person singular simple present protects, present participle protecting, simple past and past participle protected)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To keep safe; to defend; to guard; to prevent harm coming to.
2. (travel, aviation) To book a passenger on a later flight if there is a chance they will not be able to board their earlier reserved flight.

Synonyms

• beshield
• See also Thesaurus:defend

Derived terms

• protection

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• rear guard, rear-guard

Etymology

rear +? guard. Attested in The Song of Roland circa 1150 (rereguarde). Doublet of retrogarde.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?????????d/

Noun

rearguard (plural rearguards)

1. (military) The rearmost part of a force, especially a detachment of troops that protect the rear of a retreating force.
2. (soccer) The defence, collectively the defenders.

Usage notes

• Usually used attributively.

Antonyms

• vanguard

Coordinate terms

• (rearmost part of a troop): backstop

Translations