3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:

Protector \Pro*tect"or\, noun [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).

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

protector

noun

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

24 Moby Thesaurus words for "protector": advocate, apologist, benefactor, benefactress, bodyguard, champion, defender, guard, guardian angel, paladin, patron, patroness, pillar, prince regent, protectress, queen regent, regent, rock, safekeeper, supporter, tower, tower of strength, upholder, vindicator