shield

shield¹ [ʃi:ld] n

↑shield, ↑sword

[: Old English; Origin: scield]

1.)

a) a large piece of metal or leather that soldiers used in the past to protect themselves when fighting

b) a piece of equipment made of strong plastic, used by the police to protect themselves against angry crowds

= riot shield

→↑human shield

2.)

a) something in the shape of a shield, wide at the top and curving to a point at the bottom, that is given as a prize for winning a competition, especially a sports competition

b) a drawing or model of a shield, wide at the top and curving to a point at the bottom, that is used as a ↑coat of arms

3.) something that protects a person or thing from harm or damage

shield against

▪ The immune system is our body's shield against infection.

4.) AmE the small piece of metal that a police officer wears to show that they are a police officer

= ↑badge

shield ²

shield² v [T]

to protect someone or something from being harmed or damaged

▪ Women will often lie to shield even the most abusive partner.

shield sb/sth from sb/sth

▪ He held up his hands, shielding his eyes from the sun.

▪ import tariffs that shield firms from foreign competition