[shel.ter] n [origin unknown] (1585) 1 a: something that covers or affords protection "a bomb ~" b: an establishment providing food and shelter (as to the homeless) c: an establishment that houses and feeds stray animals
2: a position or the state of being covered and protected "took ~" -- shel.ter.less adj
[2]shelter vb shel.tered ; shel.ter.ing vt (1590) 1: to constitute or provide a shelter for: protect "has led a ~ed life"
2: to place under shelter or protection "~ed himself in a mountain cave"
3: to protect (income) from taxation ~ vi: to take shelter -- shel.ter.er n