protectress
She who shields
A protectress is a female protector—someone who shields, defends, or watches over others.
The word is formal and somewhat old-fashioned, often appearing in literary or religious contexts: The goddess served as protectress of the city.
Like other feminine agent nouns (actress, hostess), it has largely given way to the gender-neutral protector in contemporary usage.
Female financial supporter
- shieldmaidenFemale Norse combatant
- shepherdessWoman who tends sheep
- wardenSupervisory custodian of place
- custodianGuardian of a place
sentinel · chaperone · escort · overseer · caretaker · keeper · defender · watchwoman
Female sacred being
- patron saintHoly figure guarding devotees
- MadonnaChrist's mother, or pop icon
- guardian angelProtective spirit assigned individually
- AthenaGreek wisdom deity
Durga · Brigid · Isis · Freya · deity · intercessor · heavenly · sacred
Greek warrior women
- shieldmaidenFemale Norse combatant
- valkyrieChooser of the slain
- championTop competitor, or advocate
- defenderOne who guards another
avenger · warrior queen · Boudicca · Joan of Arc · heroine · fighter · rescuer · savior
Protected place or structure
- havenShelter from danger
- refugePlace of safety
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- asylumShelter from persecution
safekeeping · custody · preservation · security · fortress · stronghold · bastion · bulwark
Female parent
- matriarchFemale family leader
- caregiverOne providing daily assistance
- nurturerOne who fosters development
- maternalOf or like mothers
motherhood · matron · foster mother · den mother · comfort · embrace · tenderness · warmth
Most powerful chess piece
- empressFemale ruler of empire
- duchessWoman of ducal rank
- countessFeminine noble rank
- princessMonarch's daughter or heir
lady · sovereign · regent · ruler · matriarch · benefactress · noblewoman · aristocrat
patroness
Female financial supporter
- shieldmaidenFemale Norse combatant
- shepherdessWoman who tends sheep
- wardenSupervisory custodian of place
custodian · sentinel · chaperone · escort · overseer · caretaker · keeper · defender · watchwoman · guardswoman
goddess
Female sacred being
- patron saintHoly figure guarding devotees
- MadonnaChrist's mother, or pop icon
- guardian angelProtective spirit assigned individually
Athena · Durga · Brigid · Isis · Freya · deity · intercessor · heavenly · sacred · blessed
Amazon
Greek warrior women
- shieldmaidenFemale Norse combatant
- valkyrieChooser of the slain
- championTop competitor, or advocate
defender · avenger · warrior queen · Boudicca · Joan of Arc · heroine · fighter · rescuer · savior · vindicator
shelter
Protected place or structure
asylum · safekeeping · custody · preservation · security · fortress · stronghold · bastion · bulwark · harbor
mother
Female parent
- matriarchFemale family leader
- caregiverOne providing daily assistance
- nurturerOne who fosters development
maternal · motherhood · matron · foster mother · den mother · comfort · embrace · tenderness · warmth · cherish
queen
Most powerful chess piece
princess · lady · sovereign · regent · ruler · matriarch · benefactress · noblewoman · aristocrat · dame
protect, protection, protected, protective, protector, protects, unprotected, protections, protectors