Stephanie was the tutelary spirit guiding her 10th grade class; navigating the youngsters through the annals of history, math and a thing called cultural studies. Every year, as the winter warmed to spring, she’d choose one lucky student to be her classroom helper.

And she’d repay that dutiful student’s diligence by giving him a vigorous handy and breathing heavily into his ear.


Adjective

  1. Having the guardianship or charge of protecting a person or a thing.
  2. Relating to a guardian or protector; as, tutelary goddesses.
  3. Having the qualities of a tutor.

Synonyms

tutelar, tutelaric


Pronunciations

  • /ˈtutɪlɛɹɪ/
  • /ˈtjuːtɪləɹɪ/

Origin

From Latin tūtēlārius (“guardian”), from tūtēla (“tutelage, guardianship; dependent, client”) + -ārius (“suffix denoting an agent of use”); analyzable as tutelar +‎ -ary.


Alternative Forms

  • tutelarie (obsolete)

Noun

  1. Paganism: A deity or spirit serving as a guardian or protector of a place, person, culture; a tutelar, a tutelary deity.

Synonyms

tutelar, tutelary deity


Cite this Entry

Modern Language Association (MLA Style)

“Tutelary.” The Effin’ Word, The Effin’ Word, https://effinwords.com/dictionary/tutelary. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

The Effin’ Word, s.v. “tutelary”, accessed December 9, 2024, https://effinwords.com/dictionary/tutelary.

The Effin’ Word. (n.d.). Tutelary. In The Effin’ Word. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://effinwords.com/dictionary/tutelary


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