guard
n 1: a person who keeps watch over something or someone
2: the person who plays that position on a football team; "the
left guard was injured on the play"
3: a device designed to prevent injury [syn: {safety}]
4: a posture of defence in boxing or fencing; "keep your guard
up"
5: the person who plays the position of guard on a basketball
team
6: a group of men who escort and protect some important person
[syn: {bodyguard}]
7: the duty of serving as a sentry; "he was on guard that
night" [syn: {guard duty}, {sentry duty}, {sentry go}]
8: a position on the line of scrimmage; "guards must be good
blockers"
9: a position on a basketball team
v 1: to keep watch over: "there would be men guarding the
horses."
2: watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect; "guard my
possessions while I'm away" [syn: {ward}]
3: protect against a challenge or attack: "Hold that position
behind the trees!" "Hold the bridge against the enemy's
attacks" [syn: {defend}, {hold}]
4: take precautions in order to avoid some unwanted
consequence; "guard against becoming too friendly with the
staff"; "guard against infection"