guard
guard / gärd/ • v. [tr.] watch over to keep safe: they were sent to guard villagers from attack by bandits. ∎ watch over in order to control entry and exit: the gates were guarded by uniformed soldiers. ∎ watch over (someone) to prevent them from escaping: police officers were guarding inmates who could not be accommodated in prison. ∎ [intr.] (guard against) take precautions against: farmers must guard against sudden changes in the market. ∎ protect against damage or harm: the company fiercely guarded its independence. ∎ Basketball stay close to (an opponent) in order to prevent a good shot, pass, or drive. ∎ cover or equip (a part of a machine) with a device to protect the operator.• n. 1. a person who keeps watch, esp. a soldier or other person formally assigned to protect a person or to control access to a place: a security guard | [as adj.] he distracted the soldier on guard duty. ∎ [treated as sing. or pl.] a body of soldiers serving to protect a place or person: the hound belonged to a member of the castle's guard. ∎ (Guards) the household troops of the British army. ∎ a prison warden. ∎ Brit. an official who rides on and is in general charge of a train. ∎ Football each of two offensive players positioned either side of the center. ∎ Basketball each of two backcourt players chiefly responsible for running the team’s offense.2. a device worn or fitted to prevent injury or damage: a retractable blade guard. ∎ a chain attached to a watch or bracelet to prevent loss. ∎ a ring worn to prevent another ring from falling off the finger. ∎ a piece of metal placed to protect an operator from the potentially dangerous parts of a machine.3. a defensive posture adopted in a boxing, fencing, or martial arts contest or in a fight: this kick can curl around an otherwise effective guard. ∎ a state of caution, vigilance, or preparedness against adverse circumstances: he let his guard slip enough to make some unwise comments.PHRASES: keep (or stand) guard act as a guard.lower (or let down) one's guard relax one's defensive posture, leaving oneself vulnerable to attack: if you lower your guard or take a step backward, I will throw in the towel. ∎ reduce one's level of vigilance or caution: she was not ready to let down her guard and confide in him.off guard unprepared for some surprise or difficulty: the government was caught off guard by the unexpected announcement.on guard on duty to protect or defend something. ∎ (also on one's guard) prepared for any contingency; vigilant: we must be on guard against such temptation.put up one's guard adopt a defensive posture.under guard being guarded: he was held in an empty stable under guard.
guard
So guard vb. XVI. f. the sb. or — (O)F. garder, †guarder, guardian XV. ME. gardein — AN. gardein, OF. garden (mod. gardien from XIII, with assim. of suffix to -ien -IAN, which was followed in Eng.).
Guard
Guard
a body of men positioned to protect or control, 1494. See also convoy, escort.
Examples: guard of angels, 1834; of patience, 1606.