Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GUARD'I-AN, n. [from guard; Fr. gardien; Sp. guardian.]

1. l. A warden; one who guards, preserves or secures; one to whom any thing is committed for preservation from injury.
2. In law, one who is chosen or appointed to take charge of the estate and education of an orphan who is a minor, or of any person who is not of sufficient discretion to manage his own concerns. The person committed to the care of guardian is called his ward. Guardian of the spiritualities, the person to whom the spiritual jurisdiction of a diocese is intrusted, during the vacancy of the see.