I.to cover before or in front, to cover over, cover, protect (class.; syn.: defendo, tutor).
I. Lit.: “tabernacula protecta hederā,” Caes. B. C. 3, 96: “rates cratibus ac pluteis,” id. ib. 1, 25 fin.: “aedes,” to furnish with a projecting roof, Cic. Top. 4, 24: “hunc scutis protegunt hostes,” to cover, protect, Caes. B. G. 5, 43: “se umbone,” Just. 33, 2, 4: “caput contra solem,” Plin. 31, 11, 47, § 131: “scutis protecti corpora longis,” Verg. A. 8, 662: “protegendi corporis memor,” Liv. 2, 6.—
B. In partic., to put up a shed, penthouse, or projecting roof (jurid. Lat.): “hic in suo protexit,” Dig. 9, 2, 29: “jus proiciendi protegendive,” ib. 8, 2, 1.—
II. Trop.
A. To cover or shield from danger, to defend, protect (rare and class.): “jacentem et spoliatum defendo et protego,” Cic. Sull. 18, 50: “ad protegendum regem,” Liv. 42, 15: “viros optimos,” Plin. Ep. 3, 9, 36; Tac. A. 1, 13 fin.: “aliquem adversus criminantes,” id. H. 2, 60: “causam,” Juv. 11, 32: “Dominus exercituum proteget eos,” Vulg. Zach. 9, 15. —
2. Transf., to ward off, keep off: “hiemes,” Stat. S. 3, 1, 121.—
B. To cover up, screen, conceal (very rare): “nequitiam supercilio truci,” Vell. 2, 100, 5: “risu protectis insidiis,” Just. 38, 1, 9: “parricidii immunitatem metu majore,” Quint. Decl. 8, 1.
