shield
UK: ʃiːld | US: ʃiːld
n. a broad piece of armor held for protection against attacks
n. a protective barrier or structure
vt. to protect or defend from harm or danger
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The word "shield" traces back to Old English scield, meaning a protective barrier or armor. It shares roots with Old Norse skjöldr and German Schild, all derived from Proto-Germanic skelduz. The term has consistently retained its core meaning of physical or metaphorical protection across Germanic languages. Unlike many modern English words, "shield" is monomorphic—its spelling and meaning have remained intact without separable prefixes or suffixes.
The knight raised his shield to block the enemy's sword.
Vaccines act as a shield against infectious diseases.
She shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight.
The mountain range forms a natural shield against harsh winds.
His lawyer shielded him from media scrutiny.