{Feast of Guardian Angels} (R. C. Ch.) a church festival
instituted by Pope Paul V., and celebrated on October 2d.
{Guardian angel}.
(a) The particular spiritual being believed in some branches
of the Christian church to have guardianship and
protection of each human being from birth.
(b) Hence, a protector or defender in general. --O. W.
Holmes.
{Guardian spirit}, in the belief of many pagan nations, a
spirit, often of a deceased relative or friend, that
presides over the interests of a household, a city, or a
region.
2. (Law) One who has, or is entitled to, the custody of the
person or property of an infant, a minor without living
parents, or a person incapable of managing his own
affairs.
Of the several species of guardians, the first are
guardians by nature. -- viz., the father and (in
some cases) the mother of the child. --Blockstone.
{Guardian ad litem}(Law), a guardian appointed by a court of
justice to conduct a particular suit.
{Guardians of the poor}, the members of a board appointed or
elected to care for the relief of the poor within a
township, or district.