assist vs protect

assist is a noun but protect is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
assist	Yes	No	Yes	No
protect	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, protect is a hyponym of assist; that is, protect is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than assist:

Other hyponyms of assist include abet.

assist (noun)	protect (noun)
(sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good play
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

assist (verb)	protect (verb)
act as an assistant in a subordinate or supportive function	shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
work for, or be a servant to	use tariffs to favor domestic industry
give help or assistance; be of service