GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

  1.       
    
    Shield , n. [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.
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      Now put your shields before your hearts and fight,
      With hearts more proof than shields.
      Shak.

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    2. Anything which protects or defends; defense; shelter; protection. “My council is my shield.”
      Shak.

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    3. Figuratively, one who protects or defends.
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      Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
      Gen. xv. 1.

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    4. (Bot.) In lichens, a Hardened cup or disk surrounded by a rim and containing the fructification, or asci.
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    5. (Her.) The escutcheon or field on which are placed the bearings in coats of arms. Cf. Lozenge.
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    6. (Mining & Tunneling) A framework used to protect workmen in making an adit under ground, and capable of being pushed along as excavation progresses.
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    7. A spot resembling, or having the form of, a shield. “Bespotted as with shields of red and black.”
      Spenser.

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

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

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  2.       
    
    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.
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      Shouts of applause ran ringing through the field,
      To see the son the vanquished father shield.
      Dryden.

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      A woman's shape doth shield thee.
      Shak.

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    2. To ward off; to keep off or out.
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      They brought with them their usual weeds, fit to shield the cold to which they had been inured.
      Spenser.

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    3. To avert, as a misfortune; hence, as a supplicatory exclamation, forbid! [Obs.]
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      God shield that it should so befall.
      Chaucer.

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      God shield I should disturb devotion!
      Shak.

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