n.
- the hard protective outer case of a mollusc or crustacean.
▸the thin outer covering of a bird's or reptile's egg.
▸the outer case of a nut kernel or seed.
▸the carapace of a tortoise, turtle, or terrapin.
▸the wing cases of a beetle.
▸the integument of an insect pupa or chrysalis.
- an explosive artillery projectile or bomb.
▸a hollow metal or paper case used as a container for fireworks, explosives, or cartridges.
▸N. Amer. a cartridge.
- something resembling or likened to a shell, especially a hollow or outer case.
- the walls of an unfinished or gutted building.
- a light racing boat.
- the metal framework of a vehicle body.
- the hand guard of a sword.
- Physics each of a set of orbitals in an atom, occupied by electrons of similar energies.
- Computing short for shell program.
v.
- bombard with shells.
- remove the shell or pod from.
-
(shell something out)
informal pay a specified amount of money, especially an amount regarded as excessive.
Phrase
- come out of one's shell
cease to be shy.
Derivative
- -shelled adj.
- shell-less adj.
- shell-like adj.
- shelly adj.
Etymology
OE scell (n.), of Gmc origin; rel. to scale1.