shield

¹shield

noun \ˈshēld\

Definition of SHIELD

1

: a broad piece of defensive armor carried on the arm

2

: one that protects or defends : defense

3

: dress shield

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

: something resembling a shield: as

a : apothecium

b : a police officer's badge

c : a decorative or identifying emblem

Examples of SHIELD

1. the heat shield on a space shuttle
2. <the slightly built boy used his sharp wit as a shield against the school's bullies>

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

Related Words

arm, armament, munitions, weapon, weaponry; fastness, fort, fortress, palisade, stronghold

Near Antonyms

aggression, assault, attack, offense (or offence), offensive

Rhymes with SHIELD

field, keeled, weald, wheeled, wield, yield

²shield

transitive verb

Definition of SHIELD

1

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

b : to cut off from observation : hide

2

obsolete : forbid

— shield·er noun

Examples of SHIELD

1. <celebrities who are shielded by a cluster of bodyguards whenever they appear in public>
2. <she shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand>

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

Related Words

avert, prevent; oppose, resist, withstand; battle, contend, fight, war; conserve, preserve, save; buffer, palisade, picket, wall

Near Antonyms

bombard, storm; beset, besiege, overrun; capitulate, cave, submit, yield

See Synonym Discussion at defend

shield

noun \ˈshēld\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SHIELD

: a structure, device, or part that serves as a protective cover or barrier <a lead shield to protect against X-rays>