κηδεμών

A. one that has charge of a person or thing, Hom. (only in Il.) always of persons attending to the dead, 23.163, 674.

2. generally, one who cares for others, protector, guardian, Thgn. 645, S. Ph. 195 (anap.), Ar. V. 242, X. Mem. 2.7.12: pl., Phld. Mort. 23; of tutelary heroes, X. Cyr. 3.3.21; κ. τῆς πόλεως Pl. R. 412c; τᾶσδε φυγᾶς . . κ. protector, A. Supp. 76 (lyr.); τοῦ ζῆν ἡμῶν καὶ τοῦ φρονεῖν κ. Pl. Lg. 808b; κ. οὐκ ἔφεδρον βίου Men. 663; of a legal guardian, POxy. 888.2 (iii/iv A.D.), etc.; τῶν δακτύλων Alex. 148; of a female, Simon. 116, S. Ant. 549.

II. = κηδεστής, E. Med. 990 (lyr.); patron, opp. ξυγγενής, Ar. V. 731.