shield

/ˈshēld/

Middle English sheld, from Old English scield; akin to Old High German scilt shield and probably to Old English sciell shell

noun

  1. a broad piece of defensive armor carried on the arm

  2. something or someone that protects or defends : defense

  3. a device or part that serves as a protective cover or barrier

verb

  1. to protect with or as if with a shield : provide with a protective cover or shelter

  2. to cut off from observation : hide

  3. forbid

defend protect shield guard safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack. defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack. protect implies the use of something (such as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure.

noun

  1. a law that protects journalists from forced disclosure of confidential news sources