[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

shield \shield\, n. oe. sheld, scheld, as. scield, scild,
   sceld, scyld; akin to os. scild, ofries. skeld, d.  g.
   schild, ohg. scilt, icel. skj"oldr, sw. sk"old, dan.
   skiold, goth. skildus; of uncertain origin. cf. sheldrake.
   1. a broad piece of defensive armor, carried on the arm, --
      formerly in general use in war, for the protection of the
      body. see buckler.
      1913 webster

            now put your shields before your hearts and fight,
            with hearts more proof than shields.  --shak.
      1913 webster

   2. anything which protects or defends; defense; shelter;
      protection. "my council is my shield." --shak.
      1913 webster

   3. figuratively, one who protects or defends.
      1913 webster

            fear not, abram; i am thy shield, and thy exceeding
            great reward.                         --gen. xv. 1.
      1913 webster

   4. bot. in lichens, a hardened cup or disk surrounded by a
      rim and containing the fructification, or asci.
      1913 webster

   5. her. the escutcheon or field on which are placed the
      bearings in coats of arms. cf. lozenge. see illust. of
      escutcheon.
      1913 webster

   6. mining  tunneling a framework used to protect workmen
      in making an adit under ground, and capable of being
      pushed along as excavation progresses.
      1913 webster

   7. a spot resembling, or having the form of, a shield.
      "bespotted as with shields of red and black." --spenser.
      1913 webster

   8. a coin, the old french crown, or 'ecu, having on one
      side the figure of a shield. obs. --chaucer.
      1913 webster

   shield fern bot., any fern of the genus aspidium, in
      which the fructifications are covered with shield-shaped
      indusia; -- called also wood fern. see illust. of
      indusium.
      1913 webster
see also:
sheldrake buckler lozenge escutcheon shield fern aspidium 
wood fern indusium 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

shield fern
     n : any of various ferns of the genera dryopteris or polystichum
         or lastreopsis having somewhat shield-shaped coverings on
         the sori syn: buckler fern
see also:
buckler fern 

Shield Fern >> S Words
Shield Fern, definition of term: Shield Fern
shield+fern_pag1.html

Fern >> F Words
Fern, definition of term: Fern
fern_pag1.html

Shield >> S Words
Shield, definition of term: Shield
shield_pag1.html

Wall Fern >> W Words
Wall Fern, definition of term: Wall Fern
wall+fern_pag1.html

Stag-Horn Fern >> S Words
Stag-Horn Fern, definition of term: Stag-Horn Fern
stag-horn+fern_pag1.html

Adders Fern >> A Words
Adders Fern, definition of term: Adders Fern
adders+fern_pag1.html

Staghorn Fern >> S Words
Staghorn Fern, definition of term: Staghorn Fern
staghorn+fern_pag1.html