Topic: POLICE
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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | scield |
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shield1
[countable]
[countable]1
a) PMW a large piece of metal or leather that soldiers used in the past to protect themselves when fighting
b) SCP a piece of equipment made of strong plastic, used by the police to protect themselves against angry crowds [= riot shield]
➔ human shield2
a) something in the shape of a shield, wide at the top and curving to a point at the bottom, that is given as a prize for winning a competition, especially a sports competition
b) a drawing or model of a shield, wide at the top and curving to a point at the bottom, that is used as a coat of arms
3 something that protects a person or thing from harm or damage
4 American English the small piece of metal that a police officer wears to show that they are a police officer [= badge]
