SHEILD, n.
1. A broad piece of defensive armor; a buckler; used in war for the protection of the body. The shields of the ancients were of different shapes and sizes, triangular, square, oval, _c. made of lether or wood covered with lether, and borne on the left arm. This species of armor was a good defence angainst arrows, darts, spears, _c. but would not protect against bullets.
2. Defense; shelter; protection; or the person that defends or protects; as a chief, the ornament and the shield of the nation.
Fear not, Abram; I am they shield and thy exceedind great reward. Gen 15.
3. In heraldry, the escutcheon or field on which are placed the bearings in coats of arms.
