SHROUD, n.

1. A shelter a cover that which covers, conceals or protects.

Swaddled, as new born, in sable shrouds. Sandys.

2. The dress of the dead a winding sheet.
3. Shroud or shrouds of a ship, a range of large ropes extending from the head of a mast to the right and left sides of the ship, to support the mast as the main shrouds fore shrouds mizen shrouds. There are also futtock shrouds, bowsprit shrouds, &c.
4. A branch of a tree. Not proper.

SHROUD,

1. To cover to shelter from danger or annoyance.

Under your beams I will me safely shroud. Spenser.

One of these trees with all its young ones, may shroud four hundred horsemen. Raleigh.

2. To dress for the grave to cover as a dead body.

The ancient Egyptian mummies were shrouded in several folds of linen besmeared with gums. Bacon.

3. To cover to conceal to hide as, to be shrouded in darkness.

-Some tempest rise,

And blow out all the stars that light the skies,

To shroud my name. Dryden.

4. To defend to protect by hiding.

So Venus from prevailing Greeks did shroud

The hope of Rome, and saved him in a cloud. Waller.

5. To overwhelm as, to be shrouded in despair.
6. To lop the branches of a tree. Unusual or improper.

SHROUD, To take shelter or harbor.

If your stray attendants be yet lodg'd

Or shroud within these limits- Milton.