Protegees

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person who is guided and supported in their career or education by an influential mentor or patron
2. a mentee who benefits from the wisdom and connections of their advisor
3. an individual receiving training and assistance from a more experienced individual in their field

Etymology: "Protegees" is the plural of "protegee", the feminine form of "protégé", which means a person whose career or education is guided and supported by an older, more experienced patron. The French "protégé" is the past participle of "protéger", "to protect", so the underlying idea is someone who is shielded and shepherded along by another. English took the masculine "protégé" from French, and the feminine "protégée" followed, usually written without its accent as "protegee" in English. The plural is "protegees", reflecting that a woman or girl is being sponsored in this way.

Synonyms: mentees, apprentices