- shell
- [[t]ʃe̱l[/t]]
♦♦♦shells, shelling, shelled1) N-COUNT The shell of a nut or egg is the hard covering which surrounds it.
They cracked the nuts and removed their shells...
Once the eggs have hatched the shells are left behind.
N-UNCOUNTShell is the substance that a shell is made of....beads made from ostrich egg shell.
2) N-COUNT The shell of an animal such as a tortoise, snail, or crab is the hard protective covering that it has around its body or on its back.3) N-COUNT Shells are hard objects found on beaches. They are usually pink, white, or brown and are the coverings which used to surround small sea creatures.I collect shells and interesting seaside items.
...sea shells.
4) VERB If you shell nuts, peas, prawns, or other food, you remove their natural outer covering.[V n] She shelled and ate a few nuts.
[V-ed] ...shelled prawns.
5) N-COUNT: usu poss N If someone comes out of their shell, they become more friendly and interested in other people and less quiet, shy, and reserved.Her normally shy son had come out of his shell.
...a lonely boy struggling to emerge from his shell.
6) N-COUNT: usu with supp The shell of a building, boat, car, or other structure is the outside frame of it....the shells of burned buildings...
The solid feel of the car's shell is impressive.
7) N-COUNT A shell is a weapon consisting of a metal container filled with explosives that can be fired from a large gun over long distances.8) VERB To shell a place means to fire explosive shells at it.[V n] The rebels shelled the densely-populated suburbs near the port.
Phrasal Verbs:Derived words:shelling plural N-VAROut on the streets, the shelling continued.
English dictionary. 2008.
