n.
Pronunciation: ' shel
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sciell; akin to Old English scealu shell, Old Norse skel, Lithuanian skelti to split, Greek skallein to hoe
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a hard rigid usually largely calcareous covering or support of an animal b : the hard or tough often thin outer covering of an egg (as of a bird or reptile) ― see EGG illustration
2 : the covering or outside part of a fruit or seed especially when hard or fibrous
3 : shell material (as of mollusks or turtles) or their substance
4 : something that resembles a shell: as a : a framework or exterior structure especially : a building with an unfinished interior b (1) : an external case or outside covering <the shell of a ship> (2) : a thin usually spherical layer or surface enclosing a space or surrounding an object <an expanding shell of gas around a neutron star> c : a casing without substance <mere effigies and shell s of men ― Thomas Carlyle> d : an edible crust for holding a filling <a pastry shell > <a taco salad in a tortilla shell > e : BAND SHELL f : a small beer glass g : an unlined article of outerwear
5 : a shell-bearing mollusk
6 : an impersonal attitude or manner that conceals the presence or absence of feeling <he retreated into his shell >
7 : a narrow light racing boat propelled by one or more persons pulling oars or sculls
8 : any of the regions occupied by the orbits of a group of electrons of approximately equal energy surrounding the nucleus of an atom
9 a : a projectile for cannon containing an explosive bursting charge b : a metal or paper case which holds the charge of powder and shot or bullet used with breech-loading small arms
10 : a plain usually sleeveless blouse or sweater
11 : a company or corporation that exists without assets or independent operations as a legal entity through which another company or corporation can conduct various dealings
– shell adjective