Syn. -- To defend, protect, shield; keep; watch.
Guard (g‰rd), v. i. 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.
Guard, n. [OF. guarde, F. garde; of German origin; cf. OHG. wart,
marto, one who watches, mata a watching, Goth. wardja watchman. See
Guard, v. t.]
1. One who, or that which, guards from injury, danger, exposure, or
attack; defense; protection.
His greatness was no guard to bar heaven's shaft.
Shak.
2. A man, or body of men, stationed to protect or control a person or
position; a watch; a sentinel.
The guard which kept the door of the king's house.
Kings xiv. 27.
3. One who has charge of a mail coach or a railway train; a conductor.
[Eng.]
4. Any fixture or attachment designed to protect or secure against
injury, soiling, or defacement, theft or loss; as: (a) That part of a
sword hilt which protects the hand. (b) Ornamental lace or hem
protecting the edge of a garment. (c) A chain or cord for fastening a
watch to one's person or dress. (d) A fence or rail to prevent falling
from the deck of a vessel. (e) An extension of the deck of a vessel
beyond the hull; esp., in side-wheel steam vessels, the framework of
strong timbers, which curves out on each side beyond the paddle wheel,
and protects it and the shaft against collision. (f) A plate of metal,
beneath the stock, or the lock frame, of a gun or pistol, having a
loop, called a bow, to protect the trigger. (g) (Bookbinding) An
interleaved strip at the back, as in a scrap book, to guard against its
breaking when filled.