[ɡɑːd], (Verb)

Definitions:
- watch over in order to protect or control
(e.g: two men were left to guard the stockade)

- protect against damage or harm
(e.g: the company fiercely guarded its independence)


Phrases:
- drop one's guard
- guard of honour
- off guard
- on guard
- stand guard
- take guard
- under guard

Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘care, custody’): from Old French garde (noun), garder (verb), of West Germanic origin. Compare with ward

[ɡɑːd], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a person who keeps watch, especially a soldier or other person assigned to protect a person or to control access to a place
(e.g: a security guard)

- a device worn or fitted to prevent injury or damage
(e.g: a retractable blade guard)

- a defensive posture that is adopted in a boxing or martial arts contest or in a fight
(e.g: before Seb could raise his guard Boz swung a wild punch)

- an official who rides on and is in general charge of a train

- each of two players either side of the centre


Phrases:
- drop one's guard
- guard of honour
- off guard
- on guard
- stand guard
- take guard
- under guard

Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘care, custody’): from Old French garde (noun), garder (verb), of West Germanic origin. Compare with ward