Shield \Shield\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shielded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shielding.]

[AS. scidan, scyldan. See Shield, n.]

1. To cover with, or as with, a shield; to cover from danger; to defend; to protect from assault or injury.

Shouts of applause ran ringing through the field, To see the son the vanquished father shield. --Dryden.

A woman's shape doth shield thee. --Shak.

2. To ward off; to keep off or out.

They brought with them their usual weeds, fit to shield the cold to which they had been inured. --Spenser.

3. To avert, as a misfortune; hence, as a supplicatory exclamation, forbid! [Obs.]

God shield that it should so befall. --Chaucer.

God shield I should disturb devotion! --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)