Shield

1. A broad piece of armor made of rigid material and strapped to the arm or carried in the hand for protection against hurled or thrusted weapons. Each soldier had a metal shield.
2. A protective device or structure. An artillery piece uses a steel sheet as a shield from small-arms fire and shrapnel.
3. A police officer's badge. He was proud to wear the shield of a New York police officer.
4. A pad worn, as at the armpits, to protect a garment from perspiration. She used an arm shield to protect her formal dress.
5. To cover up; conceal. They shielded the children from flying material in the explosion.