A defense or safeguard.
A defensive wall or rampart.
A breakwater.
Any means of defence or security.
The planking or plating along the sides of a nautical vessel above her gunwale that reduces the likelihood of seas washing over the gunwales and people being washed overboard.
To fortify something with a wall or rampart.
To provide protection of defense for something.
One who protects or supports; a defender or advocate.
A guardian or intercessor; synonym of patron saint.
An influential, wealthy person who supported an artist, craftsman, a scholar or a noble.
A customer, as of a certain store or restaurant.
A protector of a dependent, especially a master who had freed a slave but still retained some paternal rights.
One who has gift and disposition of a benefice.
A padrone.