“guards” is a form of
guard
UK /ɡɑːd/ · US /ɡɑɹd/ noun, verb, proper noun
Forms guards guarding guarded gard garde guarde
- noun A person who, or thing that, protects or watches over something. “The prison guard unlocked the door of the cell. After completing the repairs, he replaced the sump guard.”
- noun (Ireland) A garda; a police officer.
- noun (military) A squad responsible for protecting something. “The president inspected the guard of honour.”
- noun (military, often in the plural) An elite military unit in Russia, the former Soviet Union and several post-Soviet countries.
- noun The part of a sword that protects the wielder's hand.
- noun A part of a machine which blocks access to dangerous parts. “The motorcycle mechanic removed the damaged chain guard.”
- noun A watchchain.
- noun (Australia) A panel of a car that encloses the wheel area, especially the front wheels.
- verb (transitive) To protect from danger; to secure against surprise, attack, or injury; to keep in safety; to defend. “All of the mountain passes are guarded by troops.”
- verb (transitive) To keep watch over, in order to prevent escape or restrain from acts of violence, or the like. “Guard the prisoner.”
- verb (ambitransitive) To watch by way of caution or defense; to be cautious; to be in a state or position of defense or safety. “Careful people guard against mistakes.”
- verb (transitive) To protect the edge of, especially with an ornamental border; hence, to face or ornament with lists, laces, etc.
- verb (transitive) To fasten by binding; to gird.
- proper noun A surname. “Please deliver this package to Mr Guard.”
Synonyms
crossguard quillon protection fender safety safety device precaution safeguard guard duty sentry duty sentry go ward defend hold
Etymology
From Middle English garde, from early Middle French or late Old French guarde (“a guardian, warden, keeper”) (whence modern French garde), from the verb guarder. Doublet of garda, which is from Irish.
From early Middle French garder or late Old French (circa 14th cent) guarder (“to keep, ward, guard, save, preserve, etc.”), from Early Medieval Latin wardo, from Frankish *wardēn, from Proto-Germanic *wardāną (“to guard, protect”). Cognate with French garder, Old English weardian (whence also the English inherited doublet ward). See also English regard.
The surname sense is an occupational surname for a watchman, from guard. The organization sense is likewise a type of proprialization from guard.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To protect from danger; to secure against surprise, attack, or injury; to keep in safety; to defend; to shelter; to shield from surprise or attack; to protect by attendance; toaccompany for protection; to vare for. For Heaven still guards the right. Shak.
- verb To keep watch over, in order to prevent escape or restrain from acts of violence, or the like.
- verb To watch by way of caution or defense; to be caution; to be in a state or position of defense or safety; as, careful persons guard against mistakes.
- noun One who, or that which, guards from injury, danger, exposure, or attack; defense; protection.
Etymology [OF. guarder, garder, warder, F. garder, fr. OHG. wart to be on the watch, await, G. marten. See Ward, v. & n., and cf. Guard, n.]
Etymology [OF. guarde, F. garde; of German origin; cf. OHG. wart, marto, one who watches, mata a watching, Goth. wardja watchman. See Guard, v. t.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “guard”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details