Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SHEL'TER, v.t.

1. To cover from violence, injury, annoyance, or attack; as, a valley sheltered from the north wind by a mountain. Those ruins shelter'd once his sacred head. – Dryden. We besought the deep to shelter us. – Milton.
2. To defend; to protect from danger; to secure or render safe; to harbor. What endless honor shalt you gain, / To save and shelter Troy's unhappy train? – Dryden.
3. To betake to cover or a safe place. They sheltered themselves under a rock. – Ablest.
4. To cover from notice; to disguise for protection. In vain I strove to check my growing flame, / Or shelter passion under friendship's name. – Prior.