The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Prot'eg'e \Pro`t['e]`g['e]"\, n. m. Prot'eg'ee
\Pro`t['e]`g['e]e"\, n. f.[F., p. p. of prot['e]ger. See
   Protect.]
   One under the care and protection of another, especially one
   receiving counseling and assistance in career development.
   [1913 Webster + PJC]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

protege
    n 1: a person who receives support and protection from an
         influential patron who furthers the protege's career