Bield

Alternative forms

• beeld

From Middle English beeld, beld, from Old English byldo, bieldo ("courage, boldness"), from Proto-Germanic *balþį̄ ("boldness"), from Proto-Indo-European *bhel- ("to inflate, swell"). Cognate with Old High German baldī ("boldness, courage") (Middle High German belde), Gothic 𐌱𐌰𐌻𐌸𐌴𐌹 (balþei, "boldness, courage"). More at bold.

Full definition of bield

Noun

1. (obsolete or dialectal) boldness, courage; confidence; a feeling of security, assurance.
2. (obsolete or dialectal) resource, help, relief; a means of help or relief; support; sustenance.
3. (obsolete or dialectal) shelter, refuge or protection.
• 1600, Edward Fairfax, The Jerusalem Delivered of Tasso, Book XVI, xlix:This breast, this bosom soft, shall be thy bield
• 'Gainst storms of arrows, darts, and weapons thrown.
4. (obsolete or dialectal) A place of shelter, a refuge.

Derived terms

• bieldy

Related terms

• bold

From Middle English beelden, belden, from Old English byldan, bieldan ("to encourage, embolden"), from Proto-Germanic *balþijaną ("to make bold"), from Proto-Indo-European *bhel- ("to inflate, swell"). Cognate with Old Saxon beldjan ("to encourage"), Old High German baldēn ("to make bold") (Middle High German belden), Gothic 𐌱𐌰𐌻𐌸𐌾𐌰𐌽 (balþjan, "to make bold").

Verb

1. (transitive, obsolete or dialectal) To make bold, give courage or confidence to.
2. (transitive, obsolete or dialectal) To defend, protect or shelter.

Synonyms

• encourage