A.guard in front; in pl., outposts, vedettes, piquets, X.Cyr.3.3.25, Eq. Mag.7.13, Plu.Caes.39: sg., ἡ π. αὐτοῦ his advanced guard, X.HG4.1.24, cf. Plb.5.3.2; ἀριστοποιεῖσθαι διὰ προφυλακῆς with an advanced guard, with outposts, Th.4.30.
III. watch, vigil, LXX Ex.12.42, al.
2. precaution, c.gen., against . ., Id.2.368, al., cf. Epicur.Oxy.215 iii 14: Medic., προφυλακῆς χάριν as a precaution, Sor.1.118, cf. Dsc.2.47.