A guard is a person or thing that protects someone or something from harm, theft, or attack. It can also mean the act of watching carefully to keep something safe.
From Old French “garde,” meaning “watch, protection,” from the verb “garder,” “to guard, keep.” It is related to “ward,” which came from a similar Germanic root but through a different route.
Guard and ward are like mirror words: one came through French, the other stayed closer to old Germanic sounds. Both keep the core idea of watching over something so danger doesn’t get in.
Guarding roles (security, bodyguards) have often been coded as male, while women in protective roles were framed as exceptions or informal caregivers. Language around ‘guards’ in institutions can obscure gendered hierarchies of who is protected and by whom.
Use ‘guard’ without assuming male gender; specify ‘security staff’ or ‘guard’ and use gender-neutral pronouns unless a specific person’s gender is relevant.
["protect","secure","watch over","security staff"]
When describing social or political movements, acknowledge how women have also served as protectors and organizers, not only as those protected.
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