shield

Everyday

1. A shield is a large flat piece of metal, wood or other material that a soldier or knight holds to protect themselves from attacks. tree →
2. A shield is anything that protects you, like a heat shield or a sun shield. tree →
3. To shield someone or something is to protect it from harm or danger. tree →
4. A shield is also a badge or a trophy shaped like a shield. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons knights and Roman soldiers carried shields. In science, the Earth's magnetic field shields us from harmful rays from the Sun; a heat shield protects a spacecraft. In safety, shield your eyes from the Sun and never look straight at it. Phrases: «shield your eyes», «heat shield», «a human shield», «windshield / windscreen».

Examples

• The knight held up his shield. tree →
• Shield your eyes from the bright sun. tree →
• The mother bird shielded her chicks from the rain. tree →
• The spacecraft has a heat shield. tree →
• Our team won the shield at the sports day. tree →
• The Romans locked their shields together. tree →
• Suncream shields your skin from sunburn. tree →
• They snatched spears and shields from their foes. tree →

Note

Spelling: «i before e» — s-h-i-e-l-d. Past: «shielded». «Windshield» (US) = «windscreen» (UK).

In Jewish tradition

In the Prophets and Writings a shield is also the real weapon of soldiers, and "Make ready buckler and shield" is a call to war. The psalms repeat that God is the "help and shield" of those who trust Him.

Interpretation. Jewish tradition uses "Shield of Abraham" as a name for God, and it ends the first blessing of the daily Amidah. The psalm's words are read as a call to Israel to trust in God rather than in weapons.

Examples

• After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying: 'Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield, thy reward shall be exceeding great.' (Torah GEN.15.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• Happy art thou, O Israel, who is like unto thee? a people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and that is the sword of thy excellency! (Torah DEU.33.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• He is their help and their shield! (Writings PSA.115.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• He is their help and their shield. (Writings PSA.115.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Make ready buckler and shield, and draw near to battle. (Prophets JER.46.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: «i before e» — s-h-i-e-l-d. Past: «shielded». «Windshield» (US) = «windscreen» (UK).