early vs shield

early

noun
  • A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day. 

adv
  • At a time before expected; sooner than usual. 

  • Soon; in good time; seasonably. 

adj
  • Near the start or beginning. 

  • Near the start of the day. 

  • Having begun to occur; in its early stages. 

  • At a time in advance of the usual or expected event. 

  • Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time. 

  • Of a star or class of stars, hotter than the sun. 

shield

noun
  • A framework used to protect workmen in making an adit under ground, and capable of being pushed along as excavation progresses. 

  • A large expanse of exposed stable Precambrian rock. 

  • A wide and relatively low-profiled volcano, usually composed entirely of lava flows. 

  • Parts at the front and back of a vehicle which are meant to absorb the impact of a collision 

  • A broad piece of defensive armor, held in hand, formerly in general use in war, for the protection of the body. 

  • One who protects or defends. 

  • A spot resembling, or having the form of a shield. 

  • A sign or symbol, usually containing numbers and sometimes letters, identifying a highway route. 

  • The escutcheon or field on which are placed the bearings in coats of arms. 

  • A field of energy that protects or defends. 

  • In lichens, a hardened cup or disk surrounded by a rim and containing the fructification, or asci. 

  • A police badge. 

verb
  • To protect, to defend. 

  • to protect from the influence of 

  • To shelter; to protect oneself. 

How often have the words early and shield occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )