shield-bearer

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English scheeld-berere, equivalent to shield +‎ bearer.

Noun

shield-bearer (plural shield-bearers)

  1. A person who carries a shield, either a warrior, or a lower-ranking person who carries a shield for a higher-ranking person.
    • 1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, “Beowulf”, in The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 23:
      “Never have shield-bearers so grim of face ever landed before on out shores!”
    • 1999, Seamus Heaney, Beowulf, London: Faber and Faber, page 46:
      The wise king mounted
      the royal saddle and rode out in style
      with a force of shield-bearers.
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