visible

When called without any parameters, the visible() method will return the visibility state of the control.
Calling that method with a true or false parameter will show and hide the widget respectively.

<textarea id="editor"></textarea>

<script type="text/javascript">
    jQuery(function ($) {
        $('#editor').shieldEditor();

        // hide the editor
        $("#editor").swidget().visible(false);
    });
</script>