I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from egge + shell
1.
a. : the hard exterior covering of an egg
b. : something resembling an eggshell especially in fragility
the old carrier was hardly in the eggshell class — Newsweek
2. usually egg shell : any of various smooth somewhat oval gastropod shells of Ovula and related genera
3. : a paper with a relatively rough finish finer than antique and rougher than vellum
4.
a. : any of the colors exhibited by the shells of birds' eggs ; especially : those of the hen's egg
b. of textiles : a variable color averaging a pale yellow that is redder, slightly lighter, and very slightly stronger than ivory and redder and darker than cream
II. adjective
1. : like an eggshell:
a. : thin and fragile
eggshell china
eggshell porcelain
b. : having semimat luster
eggshell paint
eggshell enamel
: semigloss
eggshell finish
eggshell black
2. : gentle
the helicopter … came down to an eggshell landing — Time