4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Shield  \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}. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Shield  \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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  shield 
  n  1:  a  protective  structure  or  device  (usually  metal) 
  2:  armor  carried  on  the  arm  to  intercept  blows  [syn:  {buckler}] 
  v  1:  protect,  hide,  or  conceal  from  danger  or  harm  [syn:  {screen}] 
  2:  hold  a  thought  or  feeling  of  [syn:  {harbor},  {harbour}] 
 
  From  Easton's  1897  Bible  Dictionary  [easton]: 
 
  Shield 
  used  in  defensive  warfare,  varying  at  different  times  and  under 
  different  circumstances  in  size,  form  and  material  (1  Sam. 
  17:7;  2  Sam.  1:21;  1  Kings  10:17;  1  Chr.  12:8,  24,  34;  Isa. 
  22:6;  Ezek.  39:9;  Nahum  2:3). 
 
  Used  figuratively  of  God  and  of  earthly  princes  as  the 
  defenders  of  their  people  (Gen.  15:1;  Deut.  33:29;  Ps  33:20; 
  84:11).  Faith  is  compared  to  a  shield  (Eph.  6:16). 
 
  Shields  were  usually  anointed"  (Isa.  21:5),  in  order  to 
  preserve  them  and  at  the  same  time  make  the  missiles  of  the 
  enemy  glide  off  them  more  easily. 
 

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