In the context of NMR
spectroscopy shielding is the effect of the electron shells of the observed and the neighbouring
nuclei on the external magnetic field. The external field induces circulations in
the electron cloud. The resulting magnetic moment is oriented in the opposite direction
to the external field, so that the local field at the central
nucleus is weakened, although it may be strengthened at other nuclei (deshielding). The phenomenon
is the origin of the structural dependence of the
resonance frequencies of the nuclei.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077
(Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1163