shell

shell
1 noun
1 (C)
a) a hard outer part that covers or protects a nut, egg, or seed and some types of animal: a snail shell
b) the shell of a small sea animal such as a cockle or mussel especially one that is lying on a beach
2 (C) a metal container, like a large bullet, which is full of an explosive substance and is fired from a large gun: We ran for cover as shells dropped all around us.
3 (C) especially AmE a metal tube containing a bullet and an explosive substance used in a gun; cartridge (1)
4 (C) the outside structure of something, especially the part of a building that remains when the rest of it has been destroyed
5 come out of your shell to become less shy and more confident and willing to talk to people: She's really come out of her shell since she went to college.
2 verb (T)
1 to fire shells at something: Opposition forces have been shelling the town since yesterday.
2 to remove something such as beans or nuts from a shell or a pod 1 (1): Josie was shelling peas on the verandah.
shell out phrasal verb (T) informal to pay a lot of money for something, especially unwillingly: If you want the repairs done right, you'll have to shell out at least $800.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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  • Shell — Shell, n. [OE. shelle, schelle, AS. scell, scyll; akin to D. shel, Icel. skel, Goth. skalja a tile, and E. skill. Cf. {Scale} of fishes, {Shale}, {Skill}.] 1. A hard outside covering, as of a fruit or an animal. Specifically: (a) The covering, or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Shell — may refer to * Animal shell, or exoskeleton, including those of molluscs, turtles, insects and crustaceans * Seashell, the shells of various marine animals, especially marine mollusks * Eggshell, the outer covering of a hard shelled eggAny more… …   Wikipedia

  • shell — less, adj. shell like, adj. /shel/, n. 1. a hard outer covering of an animal, as the hard case of a mollusk, or either half of the case of a bivalve mollusk. 2. any of various objects resembling such a covering, as in shape or in being more or… …   Universalium

  • shell — [ʆel] verb shell out something phrasal verb [intransitive, transitive] informal to spend a lot of money on something, often when you do not really want to; =FORK OUT: shell out something for/​on • The insurance company refused to shell out for… …   Financial and business terms

  • shell — [shel] n. [ME schelle < OE sciel, akin to MDu schelle < IE base * (s)kel : see SHELF] 1. a hard outer covering, as of a turtle, mollusk, insect, egg, fruit, seed, etc. 2. something like or suggestive of a shell in being hollow, empty, or… …   English World dictionary

  • shell — ► NOUN 1) the hard protective outer case of an animal such as a snail, shellfish, or turtle. 2) the outer covering of an egg, nut kernel, or seed. 3) an explosive artillery projectile or bomb. 4) a hollow metal or paper case used as a container… …   English terms dictionary

  • Shell — Shell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Shelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Shelling}.] 1. To strip or break off the shell of; to take out of the shell, pod, etc.; as, to shell nuts or pease; to shell oysters. [1913 Webster] 2. To separate the kernels of (an ear of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Shell — Shell, v. i. 1. To fall off, as a shell, crust, etc. [1913 Webster] 2. To cast the shell, or exterior covering; to fall out of the pod or husk; as, nuts shell in falling. [1913 Webster] 3. To be disengaged from the ear or husk; as, wheat or rye… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • shell|y — «SHEHL ee», adjective, shell|i|er, shell|i|est. 1. abounding in shells. 2. consisting of a shell or shells. 3. shell like …   Useful english dictionary

  • Shell — У этого термина существуют и другие значения, см. Шелл. Shell: Shell  интерпретатор команд операционной системы. Royal Dutch Shell  британско нидерландская компания …   Википедия

  • Shell — [ʃɛl] die; , s <aus gleichbed. engl. shell, eigtl. »Schale, Hülle«>: 1. Benutzeroberfläche eines Betriebssystems (von Computern; EDV). 2. ↑Expertensystem, das noch nicht od. nicht mehr mit Fakten od. Regeln eines bestimmten Gebiets gefüllt… …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

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