protege

Where does the word "protege" come from? It comes from Latin protegere, passing through French before entering English (1778).

Protege’s story begins in Latin: protegere meant “to protect, defend.” Pro- 'before' plus tegere 'to cover' - literally to cover in front of. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as protege. The past participle of protéger was used as a noun for someone sheltered by a patron. It reached English by 1778 as protege. Borrowed, still printed in italics as a foreign word, for a person guided by an influential mentor. Today, protege means a person under the patronage or guidance of someone influential.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient protegere "to protect, defend", pro- 'before' plus tegere 'to cover' - literally to cover in front of.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1600s protege "one who is protected", the past participle of protéger was used as a noun for someone sheltered by a patron.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1778 protege "a person guided and supported by an older or more experienced person", borrowed, still printed in italics as a foreign word, for a person guided by an influential mentor.