off guard
Variant of guard
guard (gärd)
transitive verb
- to keep safe from harm; watch over and protect; defend; shield
- to watch over; specif.,
- to keep from escape or trouble
- to hold in check; control; restrain
- Sports to keep (an opponent) from making a gain or scoring; also, to cover (a goal or area) in defensive play
- to supervise entrances and exits through (a door, gate, etc.)
- to cover (a piece of machinery) with a device to protect the operator
- Archaic to escort
Etymology: LME garde < the n.
intransitive verb
- to keep watch; take precautions (against)
- to act as a guard
noun
- the act or duty of guarding; careful watch; wariness; defense; protection
- a posture of alert readiness for defense, as in boxing, fencing, etc.
- the arms or weapon in such a posture
- any device that protects against injury or loss; specif.,
- the part of the handle of a sword, knife, or fork that protects the hand
- a chain or cord attached to a watch, bracelet, etc. to protect against loss
- a ring worn to keep a more valuable ring from slipping off the finger
- a safety device, as in machinery
- an article worn to protect a part of the body, as in a sport a catcher's shin guards
- a person or group that guards; specif.,
- a sentinel or sentry
- a railway brakeman or gatekeeper
- Brit. a railroad conductor
- a person who guards prisoners
- a special unit of troops assigned to the British royal household
- a military unit with a special ceremonial function a color guard
- ☆ Basketball either of two players who are the main ball handlers and offensive leaders positioned at the rear of the court on offensesee point guard
- ☆ Football either of two players on offense at the left and the right of the center whose purpose is blockingsee also nose guard
Etymology: ME garde < OFr garder, to protect < Gmc *wardon (> Ger warten, to wait) < IE base *wer-, to heed > ware, L vereri, to fear
Related Forms:
- guarder guard′er noun
mount guard
off (one's) guard
on (one's) guard
stand guard
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Browse dictionary definitions near off guard
Share on Facebook