shell
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
shells
plural
shells
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHELL
1
a
:
the hard outer covering of an animal, insect, etc., that protects it
—
see also seashell, tortoiseshell
[count]
-
a turtle's shell
-
the shell of a crab
-
We collected shells at the beach.
[noncount]
-
jewelry made of shell
c
:
the hard outer covering of a nut, fruit, or seed
[count]
[noncount]
-
pieces of walnut shell
2
[count]
US
:
something (such as pasta) that is shaped like a shell
-
We're going to have stuffed shells for dinner.
3
[count]
:
the hard outer structure of a building, car, airplane, etc.
— usually singular
-
the shell of an unfinished house
-
the shell of an airplane
-
The building was just a bombed-out shell.
4
[count]
chiefly US
:
a hard or crisp piece of bread, dough, etc., that is used to hold a filling
-
a pastry/pie shell
-
taco/tortilla shells
5
[count]
a
:
a metal case that is filled with an explosive and that is shot from a cannon
b
chiefly US
:
a metal tube that you put into a gun and that holds an explosive and a bullet
:
cartridge
-
The police found several spent shells at the scene of the shooting.
6
a
— used in phrases that describe becoming less shy and more willing to talk to other people
-
Making new friends helped her come out of her shell. = Making new friends brought her out of her shell.
b
— used in phrases that describe becoming quieter, less active, etc.
-
He lost confidence in himself and retreated/withdrew into his shell.
2
shell
/ˈʃɛl/
verb
shells;
shelled;
shelling
2
shell
/ˈʃɛl/
verb
shells;
shelled;
shelling
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHELL
[+ object]
1
:
to remove the shell or outer covering of (something)
-
shell peanuts/peas
2
:
to shoot shells at (someone or something) using large guns
-
They shelled the enemy troops.
-
The town was shelled during the battle.
3
US, informal
:
to score heavily against (a pitcher) in baseball
— usually used as (be) shelled
-
He was shelled in the second inning.
shell out
[phrasal verb]
shell out
or
shell out (money)
informal
:
to pay a large amount of money for something
— usually + for
-
I'm going to have to shell out for these shoes.
-
He shelled out $400 for the tickets.
