What does "shelter" mean?

Shelter: One who protects; a guardian; a defender. Thou [God] hast been a shelter for me. Ps. lxi.

Additional senses

  1. 2.3. The state of being covered and protected; protection; security. Who into shelter takes their tender bloom. Young. Shelter tent,a small tent made of pieces of cotton duck arranged to button together. In field service the soldiers carry the pieces.
  2. 3.To be a shelter for; to provide with a shelter; to cover from injury or annoyance; to shield; to protect. Those ruins sheltered once his sacred head. Dryden. You have no convents . . . in which such persons may be received and sheltered. Southey.
  3. 4.To screen or cover from notice; to disguise. In vain I strove to cheek my growing flame, Or shelter passion under friendship's name. Prior.
  4. 5.To betake to cover, or to a safe place; -- used reflexively. They sheltered themselves under a rock. Abp. Abbot.
  5. 6.To take shelter. There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, Shelters in cool. Milton.

Sources