Part 320

Shell, v. i. 1. To fall off, as a shell, crust, etc.

2. To cast the shell, or exterior covering; to fall out of the pod or husk; as, nuts shell in falling.

3. To be disengaged from the ear or husk; as, wheat or rye shells in reaping.

{ Shell"-lac`, Shel"lac` } (?), n. [Shell + lac a resinous substance; cf. D. shellak, G. schellack.] See the Note under 2d Lac.

Shell"ap`ple, n. (Zoöl.) See Sheldafle.

Shell"bark` (?), n. (Bot.) A species of hickory (Carya alba) whose outer bark is loose and peeling; a shagbark; also, its nut.

Shelled (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having a shell.

Shell"er (?), n. One who, or that which, shells; as, an oyster sheller; a corn sheller.

Shell"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any aquatic animal whose external covering consists of a shell, either testaceous, as in oysters, clams, and other mollusks, or crustaceous, as in lobsters and crabs.

Shell"ing, n. Groats; hulled oats. Simmonds.

Shell"-less, a. Having no shell. J. Burroughs.

Shell"proof` (?), a. Capable of resisting bombs or other shells; bombproof.

Shell"work` (?), n. Work composed of shells, or adorned with them. Cotgrave.

Shell"y (?), a. Abounding with shells; consisting of shells, or of a shell. "The shelly shore." Prior.

Shrinks backward in his shelly cave.

Shak.

Shel"ter (?), n. [Cf. OE. scheltrun, shiltroun, schelltrome, scheldtrome, a guard, squadron, AS. scildtruma a troop of men with shields; scild shield + truma a band of men. See Shield, n.] 1. That which covers or defends from injury or annoyance; a protection; a screen.

The sick and weak the healing plant shall aid, From storms a shelter, and from heat a shade.

Pope.

2. One who protects; a guardian; a defender.

Thou hast been a shelter for me.

Ps. lxi. 3.

3. The state of being covered and protected; protection; security.

Who into shelter takes their tender bloom.

Young.

Shelter tent,a small tent made of pieces of cotton duck arranged to button together. In field service the soldiers carry the pieces.

Syn. -- Asylum; refuge; retreat; covert; sanctuary; protection; defense; security.

Shel"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sheltered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sheltering.] 1. To be a shelter for; to provide with a shelter; to cover from injury or annoyance; to shield; to protect.