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croll resembling a ribbon or a band of parchment, or the like, anciently placed above the shield, and supporting the crest.

Service of the shield, a species of knight service by which a tenant was bound to follow his lord to war, at his own charge. It was afterward exchanged for a pecuniary satisfaction. Called also scutage. Blackstone.

The surface, usually a shield, upon which bearings are marshaled and displayed. The surface of the escutcheon is called the field, the upper part is called the chief, and the lower part the base (see Chiff, and Field.). That side of the escutcheon which is on the right hand of the knight who bears the shield on his arm…

Originally, a shield-bearer or armor-bearer, an attendant on a knight; in modern times, a title of dignity next in degree below knight and above gentleman; also, a title of office and courtesy; -- often shortened to squire.

That which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a protection; a cover; security; shield. Let us be backed with God and with the seas, Which he hath given for fence impregnable. Shak. A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath. Addison.

nting is prohibited. Bullokar. -- Fence roof, a covering for defense. "They fitted their shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof." Holland. Fence time, the breeding time of fish or game, when they should not be killed. -- Rail fence, a fence made of rails, sometimes supported by posts. -- Ring fence,…

e (Zoöl.), a sponge having finger-shaped lobes, or branches. -- Finger stall, a cover or shield for a finger. -- Finger steel, a steel instrument for whetting a currier's knife. To burn one's fingers. See under Burn. -- To have a finger in, to be concerned in. [Colloq.] -- To have at one's fingers' ends, to be thoro…

The act of forging metal into shape. [Obs.] Useless the forgery Of brazen shield and spear. Milton.

One of several wading birds, having long, webless toes, and a frontal shield, belonging to the family Rallidae. They are remarkable for running rapidly over marshes and on floating plants. The purple gallinule of America is Ionornis Martinica, that of the Old World is Porphyrio porphyrio. The common European gallinule…

The leather strap by which the shield of a knight was slung across the shoulder, or across the neck and shoulder. Meyrick (Ancient Armor).

The act of fastending the gige or leather strap to the shield. [Obs.] "Gigging of shields." Chaucer.

Glassy; shining like glass. [Obs.] "Minerva's glassful shield." Marston.

Of great weight; heavy; ponderous. [Obs.] His shield grave and great. Chapman.

secure against surprise, attack, or injury; to keep in safety; to defend; to shelter; to shield from surprise or attack; to protect by attendance; toaccompany for protection; to vare for. For Heaven still guards the right. Shak.

and the opposite aide at the edge of the escutcheon. When there is only one gyron on the shield it is bounded by two linea drawn from the fess point, one horizontally to the dexter side, and one to the dexter chief corner.

The representation of a helmet over shields or coats of arms, denoting gradations of rank by modifications of form.

A shield-bearer or armor-bearer. Mitford.

One who holds a shield over another; hence, a defender. [Obs.] Chillingworth.

ve service; not turned to appropriate use; unemployed; as, idle hours. The idle spear and shield were high uphing. Milton.

ate. Spenser. This hand appeared a shining sword to weild, And that sustained an imitated shield. Dryden.