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.
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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. See Illust. of
Escutcheon.
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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 ['e]cu, 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. See Illust. of
Indusium.
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