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
- Having the guardianship or charge of protecting a person or a thing.
- Relating to a guardian or protector; as, tutelary goddesses.
- 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
- 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 19 Apr. 2024.
The Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago Style)
The Effin’ Word, s.v. “tutelary”, accessed April 19, 2024, https://effinwords.com/dictionary/tutelary.
American Psychological Association (APA Style)
The Effin’ Word. (n.d.). Tutelary. In The Effin’ Word. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://effinwords.com/dictionary/tutelary