shield

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈʃiːld/ (Standard Southern British) IPA(key): /ˈʃɪj(ə)ld/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈʃild/ (l-vocalization) IPA(key): /ˈʃiːʊd/, [ˈʃɪi̯ʊd] Rhymes: -iːld Hyphenation: shield === Etymology 1 === From Middle English scheld, shelde, from Old English scield (“shield”), from Proto-West Germanic *skeldu, from Proto-Germanic *skelduz (“shield”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (“cut, split”). ==== Noun ==== shield (plural shields) Anything that protects or defends; defense; shelter; protection. A broad piece of defensive armor, held in hand, formerly in general use in war, for the protection of the body. (figurative) One who protects or defends. (ornithology) A featherless, flat, fleshy protuberance on the head; a frontal shield. (ornithology) A flattish patch of iridescent feathers. (entomology) A heavily hardened, protective plate on an insect's exoskeleton that covers part of its body. (lichenology) In lichens, a hardened cup or disk surrounded by a rim and containing the fructification, or asci. (mining, tunnelling) A framework used to protect workmen in making an adit under ground, and capable of being pushed along as excavation progresses. (science fiction) A field of energy that protects or defends. A shape like that of a shield; usually, an inverted triangle with sides that curve inward to form a pointed bottom, commonly used for police identifications and company logos. (heraldry) The escutcheon on which are placed the bearings in coats of arms. Meronyms: field, charge, emblem (Scotland, euphemistic, obsolete) A toilet seat. A spot resembling, or having the form of a shield. (obsolete) A coin, the old French crown, or écu, having on one side the figure of a shield. (transport) A sign or symbol, usually containing numbers and sometimes letters, identifying a highway route. (colloquial, law enforcement) A police badge. (geology) A large expanse of exposed stable Precambrian rock. (geology) A wide and relatively low-profiled volcano, usually composed entirely of lava flows. (figuratively, Scotland, euphemistic, obsolete) A place with a toilet seat: an outhouse; a lavatory. (automotive, British English) Parts at the front and back of a vehicle which are meant to absorb the impact of a collision (electronics, computer hardware) A circuit board that can connect to an Arduino microcontroller and extend its capabilities. ===== Synonyms ===== (place with a toilet seat): See Thesaurus:bathroom ===== Hyponyms ===== ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === An alteration of Middle English schilden after Etymology 1, from Old English sċildan, from Proto-West Germanic *skildijan, form Proto-Germanic *skildijaną. ==== Verb ==== shield (third-person singular simple present shields, present participle shielding, simple past and past participle shielded) (ambitransitive) To protect, to defend. (UK, intransitive) To shelter; to protect oneself. (electricity) To protect from the influence of. (Can we add an example for this sense?) ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Anagrams === hidles, hidels, Diehls, sheild, hields, delish, Dishel, deshil, ledish