Protectress

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /pɹəˈtɛktɹɪs/

Definitions

1. A woman who acts as a guardian or defender for others
2. An individual of the female sex who provides protection, shelter, or guidance to those in need
3. A female figure who guards or shields others from harm

Etymology: "Protectress" is a plain formation: the noun "protector" with the feminine suffix "-ess" attached, producing a word for a woman who guards or defends. The suffix comes from Old French "-esse," itself borrowed from late Latin "-issa," and English has used it for centuries to mark female agents, as in "actress," "waitress," and "hostess." The base word carries the real history. "Protector" comes from Latin "protector," meaning a defender or guardian, built from "protegere," to cover in front, from "pro-" (forward, before) and "tegere" (to cover). The image is of something shielding a person from harm by standing in front of them, which is still the sense the feminine form keeps.

Synonyms: protector, guardian, defender, safeguard