PRO-tuh-zhay, pro-tuh-ZHAY
One who is protected, guided,
and supported by somebody older and more experienced.
From French protégé, past
participle of protéger (to protect), from Latin protegere, from pro- + tegere
(cover). Ultimately from Indo-European root (s)teg- (to cover), which is the
ancestor of other words such as tile, thatch, protect, detect, and toga.
Earliest documented use: 1786.
