shield

English

/ʃiːld/

noun
Definitions
  • Anything that protects or defends; defense; shelter; protection.
  • A shape like that of a shield; usually, an inverted triangle with sides that curve inward to form a pointed bottom, commonly used for police identifications and company logos.
  • (geology) A large expanse of exposed stable Precambrian rock.
  • (figuratively) A place with a toilet seat: an outhouse; a lavatory.
  • (automotive) Parts at the front and back of a vehicle which are meant to absorb the impact of a collision

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English scheld inherited from Old English scield (shield) inherited from *skeldu (shield) inherited from Proto-Germanic *skelduz (shield) derived from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (split, cut, divide, part, separate, cleave, sunder, chop), *skewH- (protect, cover), *skey- (split, cut, dissect, separate, distinguish, divide, part, shatter).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*skey-

Gloss

split, cut, dissect, separate, distinguish, divide, part, shatter

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

分

Emoji
🪓

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms