Definition

1. Noun:

   • A broad piece of armor carried on the arm: A protective device, historically made of leather or metal, used to block or deflect attacks.
   • A protective plate or screen: A barrier or structure that provides protection from danger, damage, or observation.
   • A person or thing that provides protection: Someone or something that defends or safeguards from harm or difficulty.
   • A heraldic emblem: A stylized representation of a shield used in a coat of arms.

2. Verb:

   • To protect from danger or harm: To act as a barrier between someone/something and a source of danger.
   • To conceal or hide from view: To prevent something from being seen or known.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The knight raised his shield against the sword strike.
  • The heat shield protects the spacecraft during re-entry.
  • She acted as a shield for her younger brother.
  • The family crest was painted on the shield.

• Verb:

  • He used his body to shield the child from the debris.
  • The sunglasses shielded her eyes from the bright sun.
  • She tried to shield her friend from the bad news.

Advanced Usage

• "to be a shield against something": to serve as protection from something.
  • Vaccination is a shield against many diseases.
• "under the shield of": protected or justified by something.
  • He acted under the shield of anonymity.

Variants and Related Words

• Shielding (noun/gerund): The action of protecting or the material that provides protection.
  • The shielding around the reactor is several feet thick.
• Shielded (adjective): Protected or concealed.
  • The shielded cable prevents electrical interference.

Synonyms

• Noun: Buckler, defense, protection, guard, screen, bulwark.
• Verb: Protect, guard, defend, shelter, screen, conceal, hide.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Shield from: To protect someone or something from a specific thing.
  • Parents try to shield their children from harm.
• Shield off: To block or keep something away by using a shield or barrier.
  • The goalie shielded off the attacking player.

Related Idioms

• The other side of the shield: The opposite or less favorable aspect of an argument or situation.
  • We've heard the benefits, but we must also consider the other side of the shield.
• Hide behind one's shield: To use one's position or authority as a defense against criticism.
  • The official tried to hide behind his shield of diplomatic immunity.

Noun

1. hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
2. armor carried on the arm to intercept blows
3. a protective covering or structure

Verb

1. hold back a thought or feeling about
   • She is harboring a grudge against him
2. protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm