Category:Shield

Shield, n. Etym: [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 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.)

Defn: in lichens, a hardened cup or disk surrounded by a rim and Containing the fructification, or asci.

5. (her.)

Defn: the escutcheon or field on which are placed the bearings in Coats of arms. Cf. Lozenge. See illust. of escutcheon.

6. (mining & tunneling)

Defn: 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 Shield, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shielded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shielding.] Etym: [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.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Shield - Used in defensive warfare, varying at different times and under different circumstances in size, form, and material (1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Samuel 1:21; 1 Kings 10:17; 1 Chronicles 12:8, 1 Chronicles 12:24, 1 Chronicles 12:34; Isaiah 22:6; Ezekiel 39:9; Nahum 2:3). Used figuratively of God and of earthly princes as the defenders of their people (Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalms 33:20; Psalms 84:11). Faith is compared to a shield (Ephesians 6:16). Shields were usually "anointed" (Isaiah 21:5), in order to preserve them, and at the same time make the missiles of the enemy glide off them more easily.