Protectants

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A substance designed to shield or guard materials from damage or deterioration during storage or use
2. A compound utilized to enhance the durability of an object against external harmful effects
3. An agent employed to prevent degradation by providing a barrier against environmental or mechanical factors

Etymology: "Protectant" is a plain piece of English word-building: "protect" with the suffix "-ant," which English has long used to form nouns for something that performs an action. The suffix descends from a Latin ending that passed through Old French into Middle English, so the "-ant" here is the same ending found in words such as "servant" and "assistant." A protectant, then, is literally a thing that protects. The word's meaning is also straightforward: it names a substance applied to a surface to shield it from harm, such as a coating that guards wood, metal or skin against weather, wear or corrosion. Its plural, "protectants," simply refers to several such substances.

Synonyms: defenders, safeguards, preservers, guardians, shields