Someone who protects or guards, by assignment or on their own initiative.
"The village appointed a brave soldier as its protector to guard against bandits."
In plain English: A protector is someone who keeps others safe from harm.
"The dog acted as a loyal protector for his sleeping owners during the stormy night."
Usage: Use this term to describe anyone safeguarding others through an official role or personal action, such as a bodyguard acting independently of formal duty. It specifically refers to the person providing safety rather than the act of protection itself.
The word "protector" comes from the Latin prōtegō, which means to shield or protect. It entered Middle English through Anglo-Norman before eventually replacing an older Germanic term with a similar meaning.