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.].

A hard outside covering, as of a fruit or an animal. [1913 Webster]
"Think him as a serpent's egg, . . .
And kill him in the shell." [1913 Webster]
A hollow projectile, of various shapes, adapted for a mortar or a cannon, and containing an explosive substance, ignited with a fuse or by percussion, by means of which the projectile is burst and its fragments scattered. See Bomb. [1913 Webster]
The case which holds the powder, or charge of powder and shot, used with breechloading small arms. [1913 Webster]
Any slight hollow structure; a framework, or exterior structure, regarded as not complete or filled in; as, the shell of a house. [1913 Webster]
A coarse kind of coffin; also, a thin interior coffin inclosed in a more substantial one. Knight. [1913 Webster]
An instrument of music, as a lyre, -- the first lyre having been made, it is said, by drawing strings over a tortoise shell. [1913 Webster]
"When Jubal struck the chorded shell." [1913 Webster]
An engraved copper roller used in print works. [1913 Webster]
The husks of cacao seeds, a decoction of which is often used as a substitute for chocolate, cocoa, etc. [1913 Webster]
The outer frame or case of a block within which the sheaves revolve. [1913 Webster]
A light boat the frame of which is covered with thin wood or with paper; as, a racing shell. [1913 Webster]
Something similar in form or action to an ordnance shell; [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
A concave rough cast-iron tool in which a convex lens is ground to shape. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
A gouge bit or shell bit. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Message shell, a bombshell inside of which papers may be put, in order to convey messages. -- Shell bit, a tool shaped like a gouge, used with a brace in boring wood. See Bit, n., 3. -- Shell button. (a) A button made of shell. (b) A hollow button made of two pieces, as of metal, one for the front and the other for the back, -- often covered with cloth, silk, etc. -- Shell cameo, a cameo cut in shell instead of stone. -- Shell flower. (Bot.) Same as Turtlehead. -- Shell gland. (Zoöl.) (a) A glandular organ in which the rudimentary shell is formed in embryonic mollusks. (b) A glandular organ which secretes the eggshells of various worms, crustacea, mollusks, etc. -- Shell gun, a cannon suitable for throwing shells. -- Shell ibis (Zoöl.), the openbill of India. -- Shell jacket, an undress military jacket. -- Shell lime, lime made by burning the shells of shellfish. -- Shell marl (Min.), a kind of marl characterized by an abundance of shells, or fragments of shells. -- Shell meat, food consisting of shellfish, or testaceous mollusks. Fuller. -- Shell mound. See under Mound. -- Shell of a boiler, the exterior of a steam boiler, forming a case to contain the water and steam, often inclosing also flues and the furnace; the barrel of a cylindrical, or locomotive, boiler. -- Shell road, a road of which the surface or bed is made of shells, as oyster shells. -- Shell sand, minute fragments of shells constituting a considerable part of the seabeach in some places.

Shell, v. t.

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]
To separate the kernels of (an ear of Indian corn, wheat, oats, etc.) from the cob, ear, or husk. [1913 Webster]
To throw shells or bombs upon or into; to bombard; as, to shell a town. [1913 Webster]

To shell out, to distribute freely; to bring out or pay, as money. [Colloq.]

Shell, v. i.

To fall off, as a shell, crust, etc. [1913 Webster]
To cast the shell, or exterior covering; to fall out of the pod or husk; as, nuts shell in falling. [1913 Webster]
To be disengaged from the ear or husk; as, wheat or rye shells in reaping. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

Shell, n. & v.
--n.
1 a the hard outer case of many marine molluscs (cockle shell). b the esp. hard but fragile outer covering of a bird's, reptile's, etc. egg. c the usu. hard outer case of a nut-kernel, seed, etc. d the carapace of a tortoise, turtle, etc. e the wing-case or pupa-case of many insects etc.
2 a an explosive projectile or bomb for use in a big gun or mortar. b a hollow metal or paper case used as a container for fireworks, explosives, cartridges, etc. c US a cartridge.
3 a mere semblance or outer form without substance.
4 any of several things resembling a shell in being an outer case, esp.: a a light racing-boat. b a hollow pastry case. c the metal framework of a vehicle body etc. d the walls of an unfinished or gutted building, ship, etc. e an inner or roughly-made coffin. f a building shaped like a conch. g the handguard of a sword.
5 a group of electrons with almost equal energy in an atom.
--v.
1 tr. remove the shell or pod from.
2 tr. bombard (a town, troops, etc.) with shells.
3 tr. provide or cover with a shell or shells.
4 intr. (usu. foll. by off) (of metal etc.) come off in scales.
5 intr. (of a seed etc.) be released from a shell.

Idiom

come out of one's shell cease to be shy; become communicative. shell-bit a gouge-shaped boring bit. shell company an unimportant firm made the subject of a take-over bid because of its status on the Stock Exchange etc. shell egg an egg still in its shell, not dried etc. shell-heap (or -mound) hist. a kitchen midden. shell-jacket an army officer's tight-fitting undress jacket reaching to the waist. shell-lime fine quality lime produced by burning sea shells. shell-money shells used as a medium of exchange, e.g. wampum. shell out (also absol.) colloq.
1 pay (money).
2 hand over (a required sum).
shell-out n.
1 the act of shelling out.
2 a game of snooker etc. played by three or more people. shell-pink a delicate pale pink. shell-shock a nervous breakdown resulting from exposure to battle. shell-shocked suffering from shell-shock. shell-work ornamentation consisting of shells cemented on to wood etc.

Derivative

shelled adj. shell-less adj. shell-like adj. shellproof adj. (in sense 2a of n.). shelly adj.

Etymology

OE sc(i)ell f. Gmc: cf. SCALE(1)

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THESAURUS

Shell

Eustachian tube, L, R, acting area, aim at, alveolation, alveolus, ante up, antrum, anvil, apron, apron stage, armadillo shell, armature, armor, armor plate, armpit, atom, atomic model, attack, auditory apparatus, auditory canal, auditory meatus, auditory nerve, auditory ossicles, auditory tube, auricle, backstage, ball, ball cartridge, band shell, bandstand, bar shot, bark, barrage, basilar membrane, basin, bird shot, blank cartridge, blast, blitz, board, body armor, bomb, bombard, bony labyrinth, border, bowl, bran, bridge, buckler, buckshot, bullet, bulletproof vest, cadre, cannon, cannon shot, cannonade, cannonball, capsule, cartouche, cartridge, case, case shot, casement, casing, cauliflower ear, cavity, chaff, chain armor, chain mail, chassis, chitin, chiton, circumference, clam shell, coat of mail, cochlea, cockleshell, cocoa shell, commence firing, concave, concavity, conch, concha, corn shuck, cornhusk, cortex, coulisse, covering, cowrie, crater, crossbar shot, crust, crypt, cup, decorticate, depression, dip, disburse, dish out, dock, doorframe, dressing room, drumhead, duck shot, dumdum bullet, ear, ear lobe, eardrum, eggshell, elytron, endolymph, enfilade, envelope, epidermis, episperm, eschar, excorticate, expanding bullet, expend, exterior, external, external ear, externals, fabric, facade, face, facet, fire a volley, fire at, fire upon, flies, fly floor, fly gallery, fold, follicle, forestage, fork out, frame, framework, framing, fringe, front, funnel chest, fusillade, give out, grape, grapeshot, greenroom, grid, gridiron, habergeon, hammer, hand out, hand over, harness, hauberk, hole, hollow, hollow shell, hull, husk, incrustation, incus, inner ear, integument, ion, jacket, lacuna, langrel shot, lattice, latticework, lay out, lightboard, limpet, lineaments, lobe, lobule, lorica, lorication, lug, mail, malleus, manstopping bullet, mastoid process, middle ear, mortar, needles, nuclear atom, nuclide, nutshell, open fire, open up on, orchestra, orchestra pit, organ of Corti, outer ear, outer face, outer layer, outer side, outer skin, outline, outside, oval window, oyster shell, palea, panoply, pastry shell, pay out, peel, pellet, pepper, performing area, pericarp, perilymph, periphery, periwinkle, picture frame, piecrust, pinna, pit, planetary shell, plate, plate armor, pocket, pod, pop at, projectile, proscenium, proscenium stage, protective covering, punch bowl, rake, rifle ball, rind, round shot, round window, sash, scab, scale, scallop, scoop, scute, scutum, sea shell, secondary eardrum, semicircular canals, shell out, shield, shoot, shoot at, shot, shrapnel, shuck, sink, sinus, skeleton, skin, slough, slug, snipe, snipe at, socket, spend, spines, split shot, stage, stage left, stage right, stalactite, stalagmite, stapes, stirrup, strafe, subshell, suit of armor, superficies, superstratum, surface, switchboard, tagged atom, take aim at, test, testa, the boards, thick skin, top, torpedo, tracer, tracer atom, trough, tympanic cavity, tympanic membrane, tympanum, valence shell, vestibule, vug, whelk, window case, window frame, wings, winkle, zero in on

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ROGET THESAURUS

Shell

Attack

VB attack, assault, assail, invade, set upon, fall upon, charge, impugn, break a lance with, enter the lists, assume the offensive, take the offensive, be the aggressor, become the aggressor, strike the first blow, draw first blood, throw the first stone at, lift a hand against, draw the sword against, take up the cudgels, advance against, march against, march upon, harry, come on, show fight, strike at, poke at, thrust at, aim a blow at, deal a blow at, give one a blow, fetch one a blow, fetch one a kick, give one a kick, have a cut at, have a shot at, take a cut at, take a shot at, have a fling at, have a shy at, be down upon, pounce upon, fall foul of, pitch into, launch out against, bait, slap on the face, make a thrust at, make a pass at, make a set at, make a dead set at, bear down upon, close with, come to close quarters, bring to bay, ride full tilt against, attack tooth and nail, go at hammer and tongs, let fly at, dash at, run a tilt at, rush at, tilt at, run at, fly at, hawk at, have at, let out at, make a dash, make a rush at, strike home, drive one hard, press one hard, be hard upon, run down, strike at the root of, lay about one, run amuck, aim at, draw a bead on, fire upon, fire at, fire a shot at, shoot at, pop at, level at, let off a gun at, open fire, pepper, bombard, shell, pour a broadside into, fire a volley, fire red-hot shot, spring a mine, throw a stone, throw stones at, stone, lapidate, pelt, hurl at, hurl against, hurl at the head of, rock beset, besiege, beleaguer, lay siege to, invest, open the trenches, plant a battery, sap, mine, storm, board, scale the walls, cut and thrust, bayonet, butt, kick, strike, whip, assail, impugn, malign (detract), bomb, rocket, blast.

Arms

N arm, arms, weapon, deadly weapon, armament, armaments, armature, panoply, stand of arms, armor, armory, apparatus belli, ammunition, powder, powder and shot, cartridge, ball cartridge, cartouche, fireball, villainous saltpeter, dumdum bullet, explosive, gunpowder, guncotton, mercury fulminate, picrates, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, PETN, high explosive, trinitrotoluene, TNT, dynamite, melinite, cordite, lyddite, plastic explosive, plastique, pyroxyline, sword, saber, broadsword, cutlass, falchion, scimitar, cimeter, brand, whinyard, bilbo, glaive, glave, rapier, skean, Toledo, Ferrara, tuck, claymore, adaga, baselard, Lochaber ax, skean dhu, creese, kris, dagger, dirk, banger, poniard, stiletto, stylet, dudgeon, bayonet, sword-bayonet, sword-stick, side arms, foil, blade, steel, ax, bill, pole-ax, battle-ax, gisarme, halberd, partisan, tomahawk, bowie knife, ataghan, attaghan, yataghan, yatacban, assagai, assegai, good sword, trusty sword, naked sword, cold steel, club, mace, truncheon, staff, bludgeon, cudgel, life preserver, shillelah, sprig, hand staff, quarter staff, bat, cane, stick, knuckle duster, billy, blackjack, sandbag, waddy, gun, piece, firearms, artillery, ordnance, siege train, battering train, park, battery, cannon, gun of position, heavy gun, field piece, mortar, howitzer, carronade, culverin, basilisk, falconet, jingal, swivel, pederero, bouche a feu, petard, torpedo, mitrailleur, mitrailleuse, infernal machine, smooth bore, rifled cannon, Armstrong gun, Lancaster gun, Paixhan gun, Whitworth gun, Parrott gun, Krupp gun, Gatling gun, Maxim gun, machine gun, pompom, ten pounder, small arms, musket, musketry, firelock, fowling piece, rifle, fusil, caliver, carbine, blunderbuss, musketoon, Brown Bess, matchlock, harquebuss, arquebus, haguebut, pistol, postolet, petronel, small bore, breach-loader, muzzle-loader, revolver, repeater, Minis rifle, Enfield rifle, Flobert rifle, Westley Richards rifle, Snider rifle, Martini-Henry rifle, Lee-Metford rifle, Lee-Enfield rifle, Mauser rifle, magazine rifle, needle gun, chassepot, wind gun, air gun, automatic gun, automatic pistol, escopet, escopette, gunflint, gun- lock, hackbut, shooter, shooting iron, six-shooter, shotgun, Uzzi, assault rifle, Kalashnikov, bow, crossbow, balister, catapult, sling, battering ram, gunnery, ballistics, missile, bolt, projectile, shot, ball, grape, grape shot, canister shot, bar shot, cannon shot, langrel shot, langrage shot, round shot, chain shot, balista, ballista, slung shot, trebucbet, trebucket, bullet, slug, stone, brickbat, grenade, shell, bomb, carcass, rocket, congreve, congreve rocket, shrapnel, mitraille, levin bolt, levin brand, thunderbolt, pike, lance, spear, spontoon, javelin, dart, jereed, jerid, arrow, reed, shaft, bolt, boomerang, harpoon, gaff, eelspear, oxgoad, weet-weet, wommerah, cattle prod, chemical mace, en flute, nervos belli pecuniam infinitam.

Covering

N covering, cover, baldachin, baldachino, baldaquin, canopy, tilt, awning, tent, marquee, tente d'abri, umbrella, parasol, sunshade, veil (shade), shield, roof, ceiling, thatch, tile, pantile, pentile, tiling, slates, slating, leads, barrack, plafond, planchment, tiling, shed, top, lid, covercle, door, operculum, bulkhead, bandage, plaster, lint, wrapping, dossil, finger stall, coverlet, counterpane, sheet, quilt, tarpaulin, blanket, rug, drugget, housing, antimacassar, eiderdown, numdah, pillowcase, pillowslip, linoleum, saddle cloth, blanket cloth, tidy, tilpah, apishamore, integument, tegument, skin, pellicle, fleece, fell, fur, leather, shagreen, hide, pelt, peltry, cordwain, derm, robe, buffalo robe, cuticle, scarfskin, epidermis, clothing, mask, peel, crust, bark, rind, cortex, husk, shell, coat, eggshell, glume, capsule, sheath, sheathing, pod, cod, casing, case, theca, elytron, elytrum, involucrum, wrapping, wrapper, envelope, vesicle, corn husk, corn shuck, dermatology, conchology, testaceology, inunction, incrustation, superimposition, superposition, obduction, scale, veneer, facing, overlay, plate, silver plate, gold plate, copper plate, engobe, ormolu, Sheffield plate, pavement, coating, paint, varnish, plating, barrel plating, anointing, enamel, epitaxial deposition, vapor deposition, ground, whitewash, plaster, spackel, stucco, compo, cerement, ointment, covering, superimposed, overlaid, plated, cutaneous, dermal, cortical, cuticular, tegumentary, skinny, scaly, squamous, covered, imbricated, loricated, armor plated, ironclad, under cover, cowled, cucullate, dermatoid, encuirassed, hooded, squamiferous, tectiform, vaginate.

Interment

N interment, burial, sepulture, inhumation, obsequies, exequies, funeral, wake, pyre, funeral pile, cremation, funeral, funeral rite, funeral solemnity, kneel, passing bell, tolling, dirge, cypress, orbit, dead march, muffled drum, mortuary, undertaker, mute, elegy, funeral, funeral oration, funeral sermon, epitaph, graveclothes, shroud, winding sheet, cerecloth, cerement, coffin, shell, sarcophagus, urn, pall, bier, hearse, catafalque, cinerary urn, grave, pit, sepulcher, tomb, vault, crypt, catacomb, mausoleum, Golgotha, house of death, narrow house, cemetery, necropolis, burial place, burial ground, grave yard, church yard, God's acre, tope, cromlech, barrow, tumulus, cairn, ossuary, bone house, charnel house, dead house, morgue, lich gate, burning ghat, crematorium, crematory, dokhma, mastaba, potter's field, stupa, Tower of Silence, sexton, gravedigger, monument, cenotaph, shrine, grave stone, head stone, tomb stone, memento mori, hatchment, stone, obelisk, pyramid, exhumation, disinterment, necropsy, autopsy, post mortem examination, zoothapsis, burried, burial, funereal, funebrial, mortuary, sepulchral, cinerary, elegiac, necroscopic, in memoriam, post obit, post mortem, beneath the sod, hic jacet, ci-git, RIP, requiescat in pace, the lone couch of his everlasting sleep, without a grave- unknell'd, uncoffin'd, and unknown, in the dark union of insensate dust, the deep cold shadow of the tomb, Special Vitality.

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