Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
A defensive formation, used from antiquity through the early Middle Ages, in which soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder with their shields overlapping, creating a continuous barrier against enemy attack.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A barrier.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: otherwise archaic
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An impenetrable barrier.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
See Old English sċieldweall, with the same meaning.
Across languages
4 source translations are retained for this English entry.
