Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GUARD, n. [Fr. garde; Sp. guarda; It. guardia; Eng. ward.]

1. Defense; preservation or security against injury, loss or attack.
2. That which secures against attack or injury; that which defends. Modesty is the guard of innocence.
3. A man or body of men occupied in preserving a person or place from attack or injury; he or they whose business is to defend, or to prevent attack or surprise. Kings have their guards to secure their persons. Joseph was sold to Potiphar, a captain of Pharaoh's guard.
4. A state of caution or vigilance; or the act of observing what passes in order to prevent surprise or attack; care; attention; watch; heed. Be on your guard. Temerity puts a man off his guard.
5. That which secures against objections or censure; caution of expression. They have expressed themselves with as few guards and restrictions as I. Atterbury.
6. Part of the hilt of a sword, which protects the hand.
7. In fencing, a posture of defense.
8. An ornamental lace, hem or border. [Obs.]
9. The railing of the promenade deck of a steamer, intended to secure persons from falling overboard. Advanced guard, or Van guard, in military affairs, a body of troops, either horse or foot, that march before an army or division, to prevent surprise, or give notice of danger. Rear guard, a body of troops that march in the rear of army or division, for its protection. Life guard, a body of select troops, whose duty is to defend the person of a prince or other officer.