Geological term for a large area of exposed Precambrian crystalline rock, forming the ancient core of a continent.
The Canadian Shield occupies a vast area of the North American continent.
Shields consist of ancient rocks that form the stable cores of continents.
Standard kanji spelling for the geological term 'shield'.
Alternate kanji spelling using 盾 instead of 楯; both are used in geological contexts.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; rarely used but listed.
Compound of 楯 (たて, 'shield') + 状 (じょう, 'shape') + 地 (ち, 'land'), literally 'shield-shaped land'. A calque of English 'shield' in the geological sense.