protected

pro·tect  (pr-tkt)

tr.v. pro·tect·ed, pro·tect·ing, pro·tects

1. To keep from being damaged, attacked, stolen, or injured; guard. See Synonyms at defend.

2. To help (domestic industry) with tariffs or quotas on imported goods.

3. To assure payment of (drafts or notes, for example) by setting aside funds.

4. Sports To attempt to hold (a lead) by playing careful defense and avoiding risky plays.

5. Baseball

a. To swing at a pitch near (home plate) in order to avoid being called out on strikes.

b. To swing at a pitch so as to give (a base runner) a better chance of advancing.

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[Middle English protecten, from Latin prtegere, prtct- : pr-, in front; see pro-¹ + tegere, to cover; see (s)teg- in Indo-European roots.]

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pro·tecting·ly adv.

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	protected - kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss; "the most protected spot I could find" secure - free from danger or risk; "secure from harm"; "his fortune was secure"; "made a secure place for himself in his field" invulnerable - immune to attack; impregnable; "gunners raked the beach from invulnerable positions on the cliffs" unprotected - lacking protection or defense
	2.	protected - guarded from injury or destruction saved preserved - kept intact or in a particular condition

Translations

protected [prəˈtɛktɪd] adj [animals, plants, areas] → protégé(e)
protected species n → espèce f protégée