Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Shield
Shield
,Noun.
[OE.
sheld
, scheld
, AS. scield
, scild
, sceld
, scyld
; akin to OS. scild
, OFries. skeld
, D. & G. schild
, OHG. scilt
, Icel. skjöldr
, Sw. sköld
, 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
With hearts more proof than
shields
before your hearts and fight,With hearts more proof than
shields
. Shakespeare
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 écu, 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
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Shielded
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Shielding
.] 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
To see the son the vanquished father
shield
. Dryden.
A woman’s shape doth
shield
thee. Shakespeare
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! Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Shield
SHIELD
,Verb.
T.
1. To cover, as with a shield; to cover from dasnger; to defend; to protect; to secure form assault or injury.
To see the son the vanquish'd father shield. Dryden.
Hear one that comes to shield his injur'd honor. Smith.