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Stage 1 of 3
protegere
Latin · ancient
"to protect, defend"
pro- 'before' plus tegere 'to cover' - literally to cover in front of
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Stage 2 of 3
protege
French · 1600s
"one who is protected"
the past participle of protéger was used as a noun for someone sheltered by a patron
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Stage 3 of 3
protege
English · 1778
"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
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