protection

Etymology

From Middle English, from Old French, from stem of Late Latin prōtectiō (“a covering over”), from Latin prōtēctus, perfect passive participle of prōtegere (“to protect, cover in front”). Displaced native Old English ġesċildnes.

noun

1. The process of keeping (something or someone) safe.
   Raincoats give protection from rain.
2. The state of being safe.
3. A means of keeping or remaining safe.
4. A means, such as a condom, of preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease.
5. (insurance) Coverage.
6. Immunity from harm, obtained by illegal payments, as bribery or extortion.
7. (obsolete) A document serving as a guarantee against harm or interference; a passport.
8. (economics) Restrictions on foreign competitors which limit their ability to compete with domestic producers of goods or services.
9. (computing) An instance of a security token associated with a resource (such as a file).