{ } n. [ Ar. shī'aīa follower of the sect of Ali, fr. shī'at, shī'ah, a multitude following one another in pursuit of the same object, the sect of Ali, fr. shā'a to follow. ] A member of that branch of the Mohammedans to which the Persians belong. They reject the first three caliphs, and consider Ali as being the first and only rightful successor of Mohammed. They do not acknowledge the Sunna, or body of traditions respecting Mohammed, as any part of the law, and on these accounts are treated as heretics by the Sunnites, or orthodox Mohammedans. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. Same as Shiite; when used with a plural verb, the Shiites, collectively. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Heb. shibbōleth an ear of corn, or a stream, a flood. ] 1. A word which was made the criterion by which to distinguish the Ephraimites from the Gileadites. The Ephraimites, not being able to pronounce sh, called the word sibboleth. See Judges xii. [ 1913 Webster ]

Without reprieve, adjudged to death,
For want of well pronouncing shibboleth. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Also used in an extended sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

The th, with its twofold value, is . . . the shibboleth of foreigners. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, the criterion, test, or watchword of a party; a party cry or pet phrase. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Prob. fr. G. scheisser one who defecates. ] (Mining) An unproductive mine; a duffer. [ Australia ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ OE. shide, schide, AS. scīde; akin to OHG. scīt, G. scheit, Icel. skīð, and E. shed, v.t. ] A thin board; a billet of wood; a splinter. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. See Shy, to throw. [ 1913 Webster ]

imp. & p. p. of Shy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A sheeling. [ Scot. ] Burns. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. sheld, scheld, AS. scield, scild, sceld, scyld; akin to OS. scild, OFries. skeld, D. & G. schild, OHG. scilt, Icel. skjöldr, Sw. sköld, 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 écu, 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 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Shielded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shielding. ] [ AS. scidan, scyldan. See Shield, n. ] 1. To cover with, or as with, a shield; to cover from danger; to defend; to protect from assault or injury. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shouts of applause ran ringing through the field,
To see the son the vanquished father shield. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

A woman's shape doth shield thee. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To ward off; to keep off or out. [ 1913 Webster ]

They brought with them their usual weeds, fit to shield the cold to which they had been inured. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To avert, as a misfortune; hence, as a supplicatory exclamation, forbid! [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

God shield that it should so befall. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

God shield I should disturb devotion! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]