guard

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   (American football) a position on the line of scrimmage

   guards must be good blockers

2. 2
   noun

   the duty of serving as a sentry

   They were on guard that night.

3. 3
   noun

   a posture of defence in boxing or fencing

   keep your guard up

4. 4
   noun

   the person who plays that position on a football team

   the left guard was injured on the play

5. 5
   verb

   to keep watch over

   there would be men guarding the horses

6. 6
   verb

   take precautions in order to avoid some unwanted consequence

   guard against becoming too friendly with the staff

7. 7
   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.

8. 8
   noun

   A garda; a police officer.

   The Garda Regulations 1924 required a candidate for appointment as a guard to be able to produce satisfactory references as to his character

Etymology

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.