The Clue
Badges (7 letter answer)
The Answer
SHIELDS
Tags
Notes
The answer SHIELDS is rarely seen, appearing only about once every 2100 puzzles.
Related Clues
Escutcheons
Protects
Military guards
Riot squad defenses
U.S.S. Enterprise defenses
Critical ship system, in "Star Trek"
Definition
SHIELD as a noun:
1. a protective covering or structure
2. (shield, buckler) = armor carried on the arm to intercept blows
3. (carapace, shell, cuticle, shield) = hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
SHIELD as a verb:
1. (shield, screen) = protect, hide, or conceal from danger or harm
2. (harbor, harbour, shield) = hold back a thought or feeling about; "She is harboring a grudge against him"