Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SAFE-GUARD, n. [Safe and guard.]

1. He or that which defends or protects; defense; protection. The sword, the safeguard of thy brother's throne. – Granville.
2. A convoy or guard to protect a traveler.
3. A passport; a warrant of security given by a sovereign to protect a stranger within his territories; formerly, a protection granted to a stranger in prosecuting his rights in due course of law. – Encyc.
4. An outer petticoat to save women's clothes on horseback. – Mason.