I. ˈsheltə(r) noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: origin unknown
1.
a. : something that covers or affords protection especially from the elements : something that provides refuge or defense (as from injury, exposure, observation, attack, pursuit, danger, or annoyance) : a means or place of protection : an area of safety : refuge , screen
b. : a structure (as a small building in a park) used as a refuge in bad weather
c. : a structure or dugout affording protection to troops in the field
d. : an area or a specially constructed structure for refuge and protection from bombs, radiation, and other features of air attack
an air raid shelter
bomb shelters
e. : housing 3 ; especially : temporary housing
f. : a covering (as a box or cage) used to protect an object
instrument shelter
g. : an establishment to shelter the homeless: as
(1) : a Salvationist institution operated for the homeless
(2) : an institutional home (as for delinquent or neglected children or unmarried mothers)
h. : protection from bad weather (as by trees or walls)
the trees afforded shade and shelter — Willa Cather
2. : the state of being covered and protected (as from the elements) : protection
I took shelter under a shed — Nora Waln
the witness refuses to answer under the shelter of the Fifth Amendment — E.N.Griswold
II. verb
( sheltered ; sheltered ; sheltering -ltəriŋ, -l.tr- ; shelters )
transitive verb
1. : to constitute or provide a shelter for: as
a. : to screen or protect from the elements
the pedimented facade shelters a niched figure — American Guide Series: Maryland
a light awning … to shelter the observer from the wind — Topographic Surveying
b. : to afford protection from something held to resemble unfavorable weather : shield from injury, attack, pursuit, annoyance, censure, punishment, or notice
the defenders were … sheltered by the walls — Tom Wintringham
women are sheltered … by the men of their families — Lois Long
a sheltered life
c. : to provide with a home, security, refuge, temporary accommodation, or protection : harbor
building that shelters the rare and extensive … collection — American Guide Series: Oregon
no other small community … has sheltered so many noteworthy American writers — American Guide Series: New Hampshire
2. : to place under shelter or protection : betake to cover or refuge : take to a safe place
shelter myself in the crannies of the rocks — Margaret A. Barnes
every American political party … has sheltered itself behind the Supreme Court — Felix Frankfurter
intransitive verb
: to take shelter : find refuge or cover
if you must shelter under a tree — G.H.T.Kimble
refugees … came here to shelter from trouble — Han Suyin
a long annex … in which the animals shelter at night — Wilfred Thesiger