protegimus

Protegimus is the first person plural present active indicative form of the Latin verb protego, protegere, protexi, protectum. The basic meaning is “we protect” or “we are protecting.” It is typically used to describe the act of defending someone or something from harm, danger, or risk in classical Latin texts.

Etymology and form: protego comes from the combination of pro- (“forward, in front of”) and tegere (“to cover”). The principal parts protego, protegere, protexi, protectum establish the verb’s stem proteg- for the present system. In the present active indicative, the full paradigm is protego, protegis, protegit, protegimus, protegitis, protegunt. As a third-conjugation verb, its conjugation follows standard patterns of that class, with the characteristic long vowel quantities and present endings.

Usage and contexts: protegimus is commonly found in classical Latin to express protection, defense, or safeguarding. It appears in legal, military, moral, and religious texts, as well as in philosophical or rhetorical prose where guardianship or duty to shield others is discussed. In modern academic or ceremonial contexts, protegimus can be employed as a motto or stock phrase to convey a commitment to protection.

Example sentences: Te protegimus. (We protect you.) Nos inimicos protegimus non est common; more typical would be simple declaratives such as Te protegimus or Nos te protegimus, depending on syntax and emphasis.

See also: protego; protegere; Latin verbs of the third conjugation; Latin mottoes and phrases invoking protection.