/ ˈʃæleɪ; NAmE ʃæˈleɪ/ noun
1.
a wooden house with a roof that slopes steeply down over the sides, usually built in mountain areas, especially in Switzerland
2.
( BrE ) a small house or hut , especially one used by people on holiday / vacation at the sea
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent.: from Swiss French , diminutive of Old French chasel farmstead, based on Latin casa hut, cottage.