I. ˈshel-tər noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1585
1.
a. : something that covers or affords protection
a bomb shelter
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 shelter
• shel·ter·less -ləs adjective
II. verb
( shel·tered ; shel·ter·ing -t(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 1590
transitive verb
1. : to constitute or provide a shelter for : protect
has led a shelter ed life
2. : to place under shelter or protection
shelter ed himself in a mountain cave
3. : to protect (income) from taxation
intransitive verb
: to take shelter
• shel·ter·er -tər-ər noun