water shield

American  

noun

1. Also called water target.  an aquatic plant, Brasenia schreberi, of the water lily family, having purple flowers, floating, elliptic leaves, and a jellylike coating on the underwater stems and roots.

2. a fanwort, especially Cabomba caroliniana.

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water shield British  

noun

1. a North American nymphaeaceous plant, Brasenia schreberi, with floating oval leaves and purple flowers

2. any of several similar and related plants of the genus Cabomba

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Etymology

Origin of water shield

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Small plates arrive one after the next, featuring complex dishes with clean flavors, including the Jell-O-like water shield and briny snails, pickled plum in bonito broth and egg custard soup with rockfish.

From New York Times • Aug. 15, 2019

The company was founded in 1851 by Mayfair tailor John Emery and its name literally means "water shield" in Latin.

From Golf Digest • Oct. 16, 2013

The company was named using the Latin aqua and scutum, meaning water shield, and its grey Aquascutum raincoats were worn during the Crimean war by British army officers.

From The Guardian • Jul. 31, 2011

The wind wafting across on night-tipped wings rippled the great water shield and brought its message to the silent figure on the shore.

From Diane of the Green Van by Dalrymple, Leona

Investigation soon disclosed the fact that this water shield was one of the main causes of the added cost of water.

From The Working of Steel Annealing, Heat Treating and Hardening of Carbon and Alloy Steel by Colvin, Fred H. (Fred Herbert)