prəˈtektə n. (fem. protectress) 1 a a
person who protects. b a
guardian or
patron. 2
hist. a
regent in
charge of a
kingdom during the minority,
absence, etc. of the
sovereign. 3 (often in comb.) a
thing or
device that protects (chest-protector). 4 (Protector) (in full
Lord Protector of the Commonwealth) hist. the
title of Oliver Cromwell 1653-58
and his son Richard Cromwell 1658-59. øøprotectoral adj. protectorship n. [ME f. OF protecteur f. LL protector (as PROTECT)]