v.
- watch over in order to protect, control, or restrict.
▸Basketball stay close to (an opponent) to prevent them getting or passing the ball.
- prevent from being harmed.
▸
(guard against)
take precautions against.
n.
- a person, especially a soldier, who guards or keeps watch.
▸N. Amer. a prison warder.
-
[treated as sing. or pl.]
a body of soldiers serving to protect a place or person.
▸
(Guards)
the household troops of the British army.
- a device worn or fitted to prevent injury or damage.
- a defensive posture adopted in a fight.
▸vigilance against adverse circumstances:
he let his guard slip.
- Brit. an official who rides on and is in general charge of a train.
- Basketball each of two players chiefly responsible for marking opposing players.
- American Football each of two players either side of the centre.
Phrase
- guard of honour
a group of soldiers ceremonially welcoming an important visitor. - off
(or on)
guard
unprepared (or prepared) for a surprise or difficulty. - take guard
Cricket (of a batsman) stand in position ready to receive the ball.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘care, custody’): from OFr. garde (n.), garder (v.), of W. Gmc origin; cf. ward.