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   Pro·tec·tion

   /prəˈtekSH(ə)n/

   

   noun

   • 1. the action of protecting, or the state of being protected: "the B vitamins give protection against infection" Similar defenseshieldingshelterpreservationconservationsafe keepingsafeguardingsafetysecuritysanctuaryrefugeleeimmunityinsuranceindemnitysafe keepingcarechargekeepingprotectorshipguidanceaegisauspicesumbrellaguardianshipsupportpatronagechampionshipprovidence
   • ▪ a person or thing that prevents someone or something from suffering harm or injury: "the castle was built as protection against the Saxons" Similar barrierbuffershieldscreenhedgecushionpreventivepreventativearmorsafeguardrefugebulwarkbastionwall
   • ▪ a legal or other formal measure intended to preserve civil liberties and rights: "most Western countries provide constitutional protections for the civil and political rights of their citizens"
   • ▪ a document guaranteeing immunity from harm to the person specified in it.
   • ▪ measures taken to prevent conception or sexually transmitted infection during sexual activity, especially the use of a condom: "we'd been told by a doctor we couldn't have any more kids, so hadn't used protection for years"
   • ▪ used euphemistically to refer to the keeping of a mistress by her lover in a separate establishment: archaic "she was living under his lordship's protection at Gloucester Gate"
   • 2. the practice of paying money to criminals so as to prevent them from attacking oneself or one's property: "a protection racket"
   • ▪ money paid to criminals, especially on a regular basis, to prevent them from attacking oneself or one's property: "he was targeted after refusing to pay protection"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin protectio(n-), from protegere ‘cover in front’ (see protect).

   Scrabble Points: 14

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