lifeguard
nounattested in dialogue
- United States//ˈlaɪfˌɡɑɹd//
A lifesaver: a rescuer, usually an expert swimmer, employed to save swimmers in trouble or near drowning at a body of water.
noun
- 1
A lifesaver: a rescuer, usually an expert swimmer, employed to save swimmers in trouble or near drowning at a body of water.
It's also generally wise to recruit lifeguards to ensure visitor safety, as bathers can panic in the water and require assistance.
- 2
A bodyguard or unit of bodyguards, a guard of someone's (especially a king's) life or person.
"The people's love is the king's lifeguard."
[I]n the reserve were the king's lifeguard, commanded by the earl of Lindsey, and prince Rupert's regiment of foot[.]
Constantine the Great is known to have raised the five scholae of horsemen who formed the actual lifeguard of the prince, and followed his person whenever he went out to war.
- 3
A sturdy metal bracket fixed in front of each of the leading wheels of a train to deflect small objects away from the wheels to prevent derailment.
It also looked at what effect stronger lifeguards might have had. They protect the leading wheels from small obstacles and in modern trains have coped with hitting landslip debris.
Etymology
From life + guard, calque of Dutch lijfgarde, where life has the sense of Dutch lijf (“body”) (hence literally “bodyguard”). Compare German Leibgarde (“bodyguard”), Danish livgarde (“bodyguard”), Swedish livgarde (“bodyguard”). Compare also Old English līfweard (“guardian of life”).
Forms
- plural
- lifeguards
lifeguard · A lifesaver: a rescuer, usually an expert swimmer, employed to save swimmers in trouble or near drowning at a body of water.
lifeless · inanimate; having no lifelifeline · A line to which a drowning or falling victim may cling.lifelong · Extending for the entire duration of life.