shell
♦ shell /ʃ'el/ (shells shelling shelled)
1 [N-COUNT]
The shell of a nut or egg is the hard covering which surrounds it.
They cracked the nuts and removed their shells...
[N-UNCOUNT]
Shell 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] V n, V-ed
If you shell nuts, peas, prawns, or other food, you remove their natural outer covering.
She shelled and ate a few nuts.
...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.
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...
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] V n
To shell a place means to fire explosive shells at it.
The rebels shelled the densely-populated suburbs near the port.
● shelling [N-VAR]
Out on the streets, the shelling continued.shell com|pa|ny (shell companies)
[N-COUNT]
A shell company is a company that another company takes over in order to use its name to gain an advantage. (BUSINESS)shell out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n for/on n, V P for/on n
If you shell out for something, you spend a lot of money on it. (INFORMAL)
You won't have to shell out a fortune for it...
...an insurance premium which saves you from having to shell out for repairs...
= fork outshell pro|gram (shell programs)
[N-COUNT]
A shell program is a basic computer program that provides a framework within which the user can develop the program to suit their own needs. (COMPUTING)shell shock
also shell-shock
[N-UNCOUNT]
Shell shock is the confused or nervous mental condition of people who have been under fire in a war.
The men were suffering from shell shock.shell suit (shell suits)
also shell-suit
[N-COUNT]
A shell suit is a casual suit which is made of thin nylon.
...someone in a shell suit from Stirchley.
1 [N-COUNT]
The shell of a nut or egg is the hard covering which surrounds it.
They cracked the nuts and removed their shells...
[N-UNCOUNT]
Shell 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] V n, V-ed
If you shell nuts, peas, prawns, or other food, you remove their natural outer covering.
She shelled and ate a few nuts.
...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.
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...
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] V n
To shell a place means to fire explosive shells at it.
The rebels shelled the densely-populated suburbs near the port.
● shelling [N-VAR]
Out on the streets, the shelling continued.shell com|pa|ny (shell companies)
[N-COUNT]
A shell company is a company that another company takes over in order to use its name to gain an advantage. (BUSINESS)shell out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n for/on n, V P for/on n
If you shell out for something, you spend a lot of money on it. (INFORMAL)
You won't have to shell out a fortune for it...
...an insurance premium which saves you from having to shell out for repairs...
= fork outshell pro|gram (shell programs)
[N-COUNT]
A shell program is a basic computer program that provides a framework within which the user can develop the program to suit their own needs. (COMPUTING)shell shock
also shell-shock
[N-UNCOUNT]
Shell shock is the confused or nervous mental condition of people who have been under fire in a war.
The men were suffering from shell shock.shell suit (shell suits)
also shell-suit
[N-COUNT]
A shell suit is a casual suit which is made of thin nylon.
...someone in a shell suit from Stirchley.