Shibboleth, shib′bō-leth, n. (B.) a test-word used by the Gileadites under Jephthah to detect the fleeing Ephraimites, who could not pronounce the sh (Judges, xii. 4-6): the criterion or watchword of a party. [Heb., an ear of corn, or a stream.]
Shield, shēld, n. a broad plate worn for defence on the left arm: anything that protects: defence: a person who protects: the shield-shaped escutcheon used for displaying arms.—v.t. to defend: (Shak.) to forfend, avert.—v.i. to be a shelter.—ns. Shiel′der; Shield′-fern, a fern, so called from its shape.—adj. Shield′less, defenceless.—adv. Shield′lessly.—n. Shield′lessness.—adj. Shield′-shaped, scutate. [A.S. scyld; Ger. schild, Ice. skiöldr, protection.]
Shieling. See under Sheal.
Shift, shift, v.t. to change in form or character: to put out of the way: to dress in fresh clothes.—v.i. to change about: to remove: to change one's clothes: to resort to expedients for some purpose: in violin-playing, to move the left hand from its original position next to the nut.—n. a change: in violin-playing, any position of the left hand except that nearest the nut: a squad or relay of men: a contrivance: an artifice: last resource: a chemise or woman's undermost garment (orig. signifying a change of body-linen).—adj. Shift′able, capable of being shifted.—ns. Shift′er, one who shifts: a trickster; Shift′iness, the character of being shifty.—adj. Shift′ing, unstable: shifty.—adv. Shift′ingly.—adj. Shift′less, destitute of shifts or expedients: unsuccessful, for want of proper means.—adv. Shift′lessly.—n. Shift′lessness.—adj. Shift′y, full of, or ready with, shifts, contrivances, or expedients.—Shift about, to vacillate: to turn quite round to the opposite point; Shift for one's self, to provide for one's self; Shift of crops, rotation of crops; Shift off, to defer: to put away.—Make shift, to find ways and means of doing something, contrive. [A.S. sciftan, to divide, Ice. skipta.]
Shiite, shē′īt, n. the same as Shiah (q.v.).—adj. Shiit′ic.
Shikar, shi-kär′, n. in India, hunting, sport.—ns. Shikar′ee, Shikar′i, a hunter. [Hind.]
Shiko, shik′ō, n. a posture of prostration in Burma.
Shillalah, shi-lā′la, n. an oak sapling, the oak or blackthorn cudgel of the conventional Irishman.—Also Shille′lah, Shillā′ly. [Prob. Shillelagh, an oak-wood in County Wicklow.]
Shilling, shil′ing, n. an English silver coin=12 pence.—Take the shilling, to enlist as a soldier by accepting the recruiting-officer's shilling—discontinued since 1879. [A.S. scilling; Ger. schilling.]