A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Scheld, S(c)heild, v. Also: schelde. [ME and e.m.E. scilden (a1175), s(c)helde(n (Layamon), shilde(n (Chaucer), sheild, shield (both Spenser), OE scíldan, scéldan.] tr.
1. To protect (a person) (fra (from) an enemy, or some threat to his well-being).Chiefly in invocations of God or in pious exclamations.(1) 1375 Barb. ii 145.
Der God … Sawff hym and scheld him fra his fayis! a1400 Leg. S. xxx 202.
God … fra wikyt forton thé schelde ?1438 Alex. ii 636.
Quhais saul Our Lord scheild fra sorow! c1475 Wall. xi 238.
God scheild me from sic cas 1540 Lynd. Sat. 9.
The Halie Gaist … scheild ȝow from sinne a1550 Ave Gloriosa 90.
Mothir of mycht, … Scheild ws fra syn & schame(2) ?1438 Alex. ii 169.
That ȝe … sheildis [orig. shield vs] fra disherisoun My neuoyis tua a1500 Henr. Fab. 2542.
[The wolf] schupe him fra the schawis for to scheild
2. a. God scheld (that something should happen), may God prevent (a possible event from coming to pass); God forbid.1375 Barb. xviii 55.
God scheld that ony suld ws blam, Gif we defend our noble nam a1400 Leg. S. xlii 237.
Quod scho: ‘God scheld that I Tyne my crone, nov is redy!’
b. To ward off or prevent (strife) by anticipatory action.a1400 Leg. S. xxxi 173.
The abbot thane, to scheld the threpe, In-to the fyre … can lepe
