Guard

Guard, gärd, v.t. to ward, watch, or take care of: to protect from danger or attack: to protect the edge of, as by an ornamental border.—v.i. to watch: to be wary.—n. that which guards from danger: a man or body of men stationed to protect: one who has charge of a coach or railway-train: state of caution: posture of defence: part of the hilt of a sword: a watch-chain: (pl.) troops attached to the person of a sovereign: (cricket) the pads which protect the legs from swift balls.—adj. Guard′able.—n. Guard′age (Shak.), wardship.—adjs. Guard′ant (her.), having the face turned towards the beholder; Guard′ed, wary: cautious: uttered with caution.—adv. Guard′edly.—ns. Guard′edness; Guard′house, Guard′room, a house or room for the accommodation of a guard of soldiers, where defaulters are confined; Guard′ian, one who guards or takes care of: (law) one who has the care of an orphan minor.—adj. protecting.—n. Guard′ianship.—adj. Guard′less, without a guard: defenceless.—ns. Guard′ship, a ship of war that superintends marine affairs in a harbour and protects it: (Swift) guardianship; Guards′man, a soldier of the guards.—Guardian angel, an angel supposed to watch over a particular person: a person specially devoted to the interests of another.—Mount guard, to go on guard-duty; On, or Off, one's guard, on the watch, or the opposite; Run the guard, to get past a guard or sentinel without detection. [O. Fr. garder—Old High Ger. warten; A.S. weardian, Eng. ward.]