See Also: lifeguard(dictionary)

lifeguard (iou)



lifeguard noun. M17.
[from LIFE noun + GUARD noun, prob. after Dutch lijfgarde, German Leibgarde, (1st elem. meaning body).]
A bodyguard of soldiers. M17.
The Life Guards in the British army, a regiment of the Household cavalry, now merged with the Horse Guards and the Dragoon Guards in the Household Cavalry.
The guard or protection of a person's life; a protecting agent or influence. Now rare or obsolete. M17.
A device attached to the front of a railway engine for sweeping small obstructions from the track. M19.
An expert swimmer employed to rescue bathers from drowning. Orig. US. L19.
Comb.: lifeguardman a member of a lifeguard; Life Guardsman a soldier belonging to the Life Guards.