tutelary
1 of 2adjective
tu·te·lary ˈtü-tə-ˌler-ē 
ˈtyü-
1
: having the guardianship of a person or a thing
a tutelary goddess
2
: of or relating to a guardian
tutelary
2 of 2noun
plural tutelaries
: a tutelary power (such as a deity)
Did you know?
Tutelary derives from the Latin noun tutelarius, meaning "guardian." Tutelarius, in turn, was formed by combining the word tutela ("protection" or "guardian") and -arius, a suffix that implies belonging and connection. A more familiar descendant of tutela in English might be tutelage, which initially referred to guardianship or protection, but came to be used to refer to teaching or influence. If you suspect that tutor is also related, you are correct. Tutelary can also be a noun referring to a power (such as a deity) who acts as a guardian.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 See More
Adjective
Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 Even among the eccentric annals of poets who talked to God, angels, tutelary spirits, and disincorporated souls, Fernando Pessoa is a special case. Anahid Nersessian, The New York Review of Books, 7 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1652, in the meaning defined above