1. A protective covering or structure
   "The riot police carried large shields to protect themselves from projectiles"
    
2. A small, round shield carried on the arm to intercept blows
   "The medieval warrior deflected sword strikes with his shield";
   - buckler
    
3. Hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
   "The turtle withdrew into its protective shield";
   - carapace, shell, cuticle
    
4. [US] A police officer's badge
   "He flashed his shield at the security guard"
    
5. (geology) a large stable area of exposed crystalline rock
   "The Canadian Shield covers much of northern Canada"

1. Protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm
   "The trees shielded the house from the wind";
   - screen
    
2. Hold back a thought or feeling about
   "She shielded her true emotions from her parents";
   - harbor [N. Amer], harbour [Brit, Cdn]

Derived forms: shields, shielding, shielded

Type of: armor [US], armour [Brit, Cdn], conceal, hide, protect, protection, protective cover, protective covering, scute

Part of: arthropod, mollusc, mollusk [N. Amer], shellfish, turtle

Encyclopedia: Shield, North Dakota