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shield |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.02 sec. |
shield, armorshield, piece of defensive armor armor, apparatus for defense of persons, horses, and such objects as vehicles, naval vessels, and aircraft. Body armor developed early as protective suits made of such materials as leather, shells, wood, and basketwork, later supplemented by metal...... Click the link for more information. , worn on the arm or shoulder to ward off weapons during combat, used prior to the dominance of gunpowder. Originally for individual defense during hand-to-hand combat, it is the most primitive and universal item of defensive armor. Shields were made of hide or wood, often reinforced with metal, and could be round, oblong, or rectangular. As armies developed, soldiers carried matching shields to link together for fighting in formations, such as those used by Assyria (2500 B.C.). A soldier's body armor complemented his shield. Heavy infantry carried larger shields than did skirmishers, cavalry carried smaller shields, and bowmen often carried none. Modern riot police carry plastic shields for protection. shield, in geologyshield, in geology: see continent continent, largest unit of landmasses on the earth . The continents include Eurasia (conventionally regarded as two continents, Europe and Asia ), Africa , North America , South America , Australia , and Antarctica ...... Click the link for more information. . shield 1. the protective outer covering of an animal, such as the shell of a turtle 2. Physics a structure of concrete, lead, etc., placed around a nuclear reactor or other source of radiation in order to prevent the escape of radiation 3. a broad stable plateau of ancient Precambrian rocks forming the rigid nucleus of a particular continent 4. Civil engineering a hollow steel cylinder that protects men driving a circular tunnel through loose, soft, or water-bearing ground 5. the shield Informal a. Austral short for the Sheffield Shield b. NZ short for the Ranfurly Shield shield [shēld] (engineering) An iron, steel, or wood framework used to support the ground ahead of the lining in tunneling and mining. (geology) The very old, rigid core of relatively stable rocks within a continent around which younger sedimentary rocks have been deposited. Also known as continental shield. (nucleonics) The material placed around a nuclear reactor, or other source of radiation, to reduce escaping radiation or particles to a permissible level. Also known as shielding. (ordnance) Armor plate mounted on a gun carriage to protect the operating mechanism and gun crew from enemy fire. Shield [shēld] (astronomy) How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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