Shield (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Shielded; p. pr. & vb. n.Shielding.] [AS. scidan, scyldan. SeeShield, 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!
God shield that it should so befall. Chaucer.
God shield I should disturb devotion! Shak.