a person who undertakes to shelter and defend the weak, helpless, and distressed.

Every Catholic nation, and every religious order, has a protector residing at the court of Rome, who is a cardinal, and is called the cardinal protector.

Protector is also sometimes used for a regent of a kingdom, made choice of to govern it during the minority of a prince.

Cromwell assumed the title and quality of lord protector of the commonwealth of England.