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. 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 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. See Illust. of Indusium.
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