water-shield n 1: aquatic plant with floating oval leaves and purple flowers; in lakes and slow-moving streams; suitable for aquariums [syn: {water-shield}, {Brasenia schreberi}, {water-target}] 2: common aquatic plant of eastern North America having floating and submerged leaves and white yellow-spotted flowers [syn: {water-shield}, {fanwort}, {Cabomba caroliniana}]