1. (v. t. & i.) One who or that which defends or protects by warding off harm

2. (v. t. & i.) A screen to prevent coals or sparks of an open fire from escaping to the floor.

3. (v. t. & i.) Anything serving as a cushion to lessen the shock when a vessel comes in contact with another vessel or a wharf.

4. (v. t. & i.) A screen to protect a carriage from mud thrown off the wheels: also, a splashboard.

5. (v. t. & i.) Anything set up to protect an exposed angle, as of a house, from damage by carriage wheels.

aegis arm guard backstop barrier brattice buffer buffer state bulkhead bulwark bumper chimney chimney corner cloison collision mat contraceptive copyright crash helmet cushion dashboard diaphragm dissepiment dividing line dividing wall division dodger face mask finger guard fire screen fireboard fireguard fireplace fireside flue foot guard fuse goggles governor guard guardrail hand guard handrail hard hat hearth hearthstone helmet hob hub ingle inglenook ingleside insulation interlock interseptum knee guard knuckle guard laminated glass life preserver lifeline lightning conductor lightning rod mask mat midriff midsection mudguard nose guard pad padding palladium panel paries partition party wall patent pilot preventive property line prophylactic protective clothing protective umbrella safeguard safety safety glass safety plug safety rail safety shoes safety switch safety valve screen seat belt separation septulum septum shield shin guard shock pad smokehole sun helmet umbrella wall windscreen windshield