1. \Buc"kler\, n. [OE. bocler, OF. bocler, F. bouclier, a
   shield with a boss, from OF. bocle, boucle, boss. See
   {Buckle}, n.]
   1. A kind of shield, of various shapes and sizes, worn on one
      of the arms (usually the left) for protecting the front of
      the body.
   Note: In the sword and buckler play of the Middle Ages in
         England, the buckler was a small shield, used, not to
         cover the body, but to stop or parry blows.
   2. (Zo["o]l.)
      (a) One of the large, bony, external plates found on many
          ganoid fishes.
      (b) The anterior segment of the shell of trilobites.
   3. (Naut.) A block of wood or plate of iron made to fit a
      hawse hole, or the circular opening in a half-port, to
      prevent water from entering when the vessel pitches.
   {Blind buckler} (Naut.), a solid buckler.
   {Buckler mustard} (Bot.), a genus of plants ({Biscutella})
      with small bright yellow flowers. The seed vessel on
      bursting resembles two bucklers or shields.
   {Buckler thorn}, a plant with seed vessels shaped like a
      buckler. See {Christ's thorn}.
   {Riding buckler} (Naut.), a buckler with a hole for the
      passage of a cable.
   

2. \Buc"kler\, v. t.
   To shield; to defend. [Obs.]
         Can Oxford, that did ever fence the right, Now buckler
         falsehood with a pedigree?               --Shak.
   

(1.) A portable shield (2 Sam. 22:31; 1 Chr. 5:18).

(2.) A shield surrounding the person; the targe or round form; used once figuratively (Ps. 91:4).

(3.) A large shield protecting the whole body (Ps. 35:2; Ezek. 23:24; 26:8).

(4.) A lance or spear; improperly rendered "buckler" in the Authorized Version (1 Chr. 12:8), but correctly in the Revised Version "spear."

The leather of shields required oiling (2 Sam. 1:21; Isa. 21:5), so as to prevent its being injured by moisture. Copper (= "brass") shields were also in use (1 Sam. 17:6; 1 Kings 14:27). Those spoken of in 1 Kings 10:16, etc.; 14:26, were probably of massive metal.

The shields David had taken from his enemies were suspended in the temple as mementoes (2 Kings 11:10). (See ARMOUR, SHIELD.)