Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Gen. xv. 1.
4. (Bot.) In lichens, a Hardened cup or disk surrounded by a rim and
containing the fructification, or asci.
5. (Her.) The escutcheon or field on which are placed the bearings in
coats of arms. Cf. Lozenge. See Illust. of Escutcheon.
6. (Mining & Tunneling) 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 (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shielded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shielding.]
[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.