buckler

1 of 2

noun

buck·​ler ˈbə-klər How to pronounce buckler (audio)
1
a
: a small round shield held by a handle at arm's length
b
: a shield worn on the left arm
2
: one that shields and protects

buckler

2 of 2

verb

bucklered; bucklering; bucklers

transitive verb

: to shield or defend with a buckler

Examples of buckler in a Sentence

Noun a strong and free press is our best buckler against tyranny
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Golden shield fern, broad buckler fern, basket fern, hart's tongue fern, soft-shield fern, evergreen maidenhair, and more. Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 17 Feb. 2023 So the film pays bemused tribute not only to one of Disneyland’s most popular rides but those old swash-bucklers who once graced movie screens. Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 May 2017
Verb
As Mark Antony vamped, hoping for solitude, Cassius hissed with rage, straddled Caesar’s corpse, tore off his own velvet cape, dropped his sword and buckler down a set of stairs, and raged off into the wings. Helen Shaw, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buckler.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bocler, from Anglo-French bucler, from bocle

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of buckler was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near buckler

Cite this Entry

“Buckler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buckler. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

buckler

noun
buck·​ler
ˈbək-lər
: a small round shield worn on the arm
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