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¹shield

noun \ˈshēld\

: a large piece of metal, wood, etc., carried by someone (such as a soldier or police officer) for protection

: something that defends or protects someone or something

: a police officer's badge

Full Definition of SHIELD

: a broad piece of defensive armor carried on the arm

: one that protects or defends : defense

: dress shield

a : a device or part that serves as a protective cover or barrier

b : a protective structure (as a carapace, scale, or plate) of some animals

: escutcheon; especially : one that is wide at the top and rounds to a point at the bottom

: the Precambrian nuclear mass of a continent that is surrounded and sometimes covered by sedimentary rocks

: something resembling a shield: as

a : apothecium

b : a police officer's badge

c : a decorative or identifying emblem

See shield defined for English-language learners

See shield defined for kids

Origin of SHIELD

Middle English sheld, from Old English scield; akin to Old High German scilt shield and probably to Old English sciell shell

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SHIELD

Synonyms: aegis (also egis), ammunition, armor, buckler, cover, guard, protection, safeguard, screen, security, defense, wall, ward

Rhymes with SHIELD

field, keeled, weald, wheeled, wield, yield

²shield

transitive verb

: to cover and protect (someone or something)

: to prevent (someone or something) from being seen

Full Definition of SHIELD

a : to protect with or as if with a shield : provide with a protective cover or shelter

b : to cut off from observation : hide

obsolete : forbid

— shield·er noun

First Known Use of SHIELD

before 12th century

Related to SHIELD

Synonyms: bulwark, cover, fence, fend, forfend, guard, keep, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, defend, ward

Antonyms: assail, assault, attack

Synonym Discussion of SHIELD

defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack. defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack <defend the country>. protect implies the use of something (as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure <a hard hat to protect your head>. shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack <shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand>. guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger <White House entrances are well guarded>. safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger <our civil liberties must be safeguarded>.

SHIELDED Defined for Kids