protecting

1.3

Keeping people and things safe from harm

adjective
/prəˈtɛktɪŋ/

: protector

A protecting law was introduced to ensure the safety of wildlife.

In a reflective vest protecting school children in New Zealand.

Examples

A protecting law was enacted to safeguard endangered species.
The protecting cover kept the seeds safe from birds.
He relied on her protecting embrace during difficult times.
The protecting walls kept the villagers safe.
She wore a protecting mask during the pandemic.
The protecting walls kept the villagers safe during the storm.
She wore a protecting mask to prevent the spread of germs.

Synonyms

protective

vsprotecting

163 2.4

Made to keep a person or thing safe from harm

is about keeping safe from both harm and discomfort rather than only danger

protectant

vsprotecting

5.8

Giving a layer that keeps things safe from damage

is about keeping safe in general rather than being a physical layer

Antonyms

to expose

479 3.2

Put someone in a situation where they can be harmed by something

endangerment

25 5.0

Putting someone or something at risk of harm

How Protective

shielding

2 4.2

protecting

1.3

covering

8 1.5

Surface Forms

protecting positive

Morphology

protecting = protect (transparent) = protect + ing

The adjective is formed from the verb 'protect' with the productive suffix '-ing' indicating 'providing protection', which is directly inferable by learners.

Etymology

Protecting comes from the parts pro- meaning 'for' and tegere meaning 'to cover', so it originally meant something like 'covering for' someone. So protecting is like putting a roof or a coat over someone or something to keep it safe from harm.