tutelary

American  

[toot-l-er-ee, tyoot-] / ˈtut lˌɛr i, ˈtyut- /

Also tutelar

adjective

1. having the position of guardian or protector of a person, place, or thing.

   tutelary saint.

2. of or relating to a guardian or guardianship.

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noun

plural

tutelaries

1. a person who has tutelary powers, as a saint, deity, or guardian.

tutelary British  

/ ˈtjuːtɪlərɪ, ˈtjuːtɪlə /

adjective

1. invested with the role of guardian or protector

2. of or relating to a guardian or guardianship

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noun

1. a tutelary person, deity, or saint

Other Word Forms

• supertutelary adjective
• untutelar adjective
• untutelary adjective

Etymology

Origin of tutelary

1605–15; < Latin tūtēlārius guardian; tutelage, -ary

Example Sentences

“It seems clear that the military continues to have this idea of itself as a tutelary force in politics.”

From New York Times • May 1, 2020

This year’s Cannes selection was unveiled under a revered image, almost a tutelary deity.

From The Guardian • Apr. 18, 2019

In an ideal world, our entertainment would not have to be tutelary, would not need to “set a good example.”

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2019

Having no children of his own, Guadagnino has fallen into a tutelary role toward the young people in his life.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 8, 2018

He is the tutelary deity of women and presides over marriage ceremonies.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4 "G" to "Gaskell, Elizabeth" by Various