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buckler Definition

buck·ler (buk′lər)

noun

  1. a small, round shield held by a handle or worn on the arm
  2. any protection or defense

Etymology: ME bokeler < OFr bocler: see buckle

transitive verb

to protect by shielding; defend

buckler Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • small: Such tactics were familiar to these veteran soldiers, but were embarrassing to an enemy armed with small bucklers and unwieldy weapons.

Modifies a noun

  • fern: The fens are home to the nationally rare crested buckler fern.
  • man: Halberdiers and sword and buckler men were mixed in with the pikes, but never amounted to more than 5-10 % of the pikes.
buckler Quotes

He stood at bold defiance with his prince; Held up the buckler of the people's cause Against the crown, and skulked behind the laws.

—Dryden,John

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.

—Bible (Old Testament)