/ ˈʃɪŋgl; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] a mass of small smooth stones on a beach or at the side of a river :
a shingle beach
2.
[ C , U ] a small flat piece of wood that is used to cover a wall or roof of a building
3.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) a board with a sign on it, in front of a doctor's or lawyer's office :
He hung out his own shingle (= started a business as a doctor or lawyer) .
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WORD ORIGIN
sense 1 late Middle English : of unknown origin.
senses 2 to 3 Middle English (as a noun): apparently from Latin scindula , earlier scandula a split piece of wood.