Definitions for: Shield


[n] armor carried on the arm to intercept blows
[n] a protective covering or structure
[v] protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm
[v] hold a thought or feeling of



Webster (1913) Definition: Shield, n. [OE. sheld, scheld, AS. scield, scild,
sceld, scyld; akin to OS. scild, OFries. skeld, D. & G.
schild, OHG. scilt, Icel. skj["o]ldr, Sw. sk["o]ld, Dan.
skiold, Goth. skildus; of uncertain origin. Cf. Sheldrake.]
1. A broad piece of defensive armor, carried on the arm, --
formerly in general use in war, for the protection of the
body. See Buckler.

Now put your shields before your hearts and fight,
With hearts more proof than shields. --Shak.

2. Anything which protects or defends; defense; shelter;
protection. ``My council is my shield.'' --Shak.

3. Figuratively, one who protects or defends.

Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield, and thy exceeding
great reward. --Gen. xv. 1.

4. (Bot.) In lichens, a Hardened cup or disk surrounded by a
rim and containing the fructification, or asci.

5. (Her.) The escutcheon or field on which are placed the
bearings in coats of arms. Cf. Lozenge. See Illust. of
Escutcheon.

6. (Mining & Tunneling) A framework used to protect workmen
in making an adit under ground, and capable of being
pushed along as excavation progresses.

7. A spot resembling, or having the form of, a shield.
``Bespotted as with shields of red and black.'' --Spenser.

8. A coin, the old French crown, or ['e]cu, having on one
side the figure of a shield. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Shield fern (Bot.), any fern of the genus Aspidium, in
which the fructifications are covered with shield-shaped
indusia; -- called also wood fern. See Illust. of
Indusium.


Shield, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shielded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Shielding.] [AS. scidan, scyldan. See Shield, n.]
1. To cover with, or as with, a shield; to cover from danger;
to defend; to protect from assault or injury.

Shouts of applause ran ringing through the field, To
see the son the vanquished father shield. --Dryden.

A woman's shape doth shield thee. --Shak.

2. To ward off; to keep off or out.

They brought with them their usual weeds, fit to
shield the cold to which they had been inured.
--Spenser.

3. To avert, as a misfortune; hence, as a supplicatory
exclamation, forbid! [Obs.]

God shield that it should so befall. --Chaucer.

God shield I should disturb devotion! --Shak.

Synonyms: buckler, harbor, harbour, screen

See Also: armor, armour, conceal, escutcheon, hide, nipple shield, pavis, pavise, plate, protect, protection, protective cover, protective covering, scale, scutcheon, shell, shielding

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