shin ‧ gle /ˈʃɪŋɡ ə l/ BrE AmE noun
[ Sense 1,3: Date: 1100-1200 ; Origin: Probably from Latin scindula 'flat piece of wood' ]
[ Sense 2: Date: 1500-1600 ; Origin: Probably from a Scandinavian language ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] one of many small thin pieces of wood or another building material, fastened in rows to cover a roof or wall
2 . [uncountable] small round pieces of stone on a beach:
the crash of waves on the shingle
a shingle beach
3 . hang out your shingle American English informal to start your own business, especially as a doctor or lawyer