shield

shield1 [ ʃild ] noun count **

1. ) an object that soldiers carried in the past to protect themselves from being hit

a ) a RIOT SHIELD that police officers carry to protect them

b ) an object that protects a particular part of your body, for example the gum shield that BOXERS wear to protect their teeth

c ) someone or something that protects you from harm or bad experiences:

shield against: weapons systems designed to provide a shield against nuclear attack

My relationship with my sister was a shield against the ugliness of our childhood.

2. ) a design shaped like a soldier's shield, especially one used on a BADGE or a COAT OF ARMS

a ) an object shaped like a shield given to the winner of a competition

shield

shield 2 [ ʃild ] verb transitive *

1. ) often passive to protect something, usually from being hit, touched, or seen:

shield something from view: The house was shielded from view by tall trees.

shield your eyes/face: She shielded her eyes against the sun's glare.

shield something from something: These plants should be shielded from direct sunlight.

2. ) to protect someone from something unpleasant:

shield someone from something: He is anxious to shield his children from the truth about their mother.