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shell

shell

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

shell / shel/ • n. 1. the hard protective outer case of a mollusk or crustacean: cowrie shells| the technique of carving shell. ∎  the thin outer covering of an animal's egg, which is hard and fragile in that of a bird but leathery in that of a reptile. ∎  the outer case of a nut kernel or seed. ∎  the carapace of a tortoise, turtle, or terrapin. ∎  the wing cases of a beetle. ∎  the integument of an insect pupa or chrysalis. ∎  (one's shell) fig. used with reference to a state of shyness or introversion: she'll soon come out of her shell with the right encouragement. 2. something resembling or likened to a shell because of its shape or its function as an outer case: pasta shells baked pastry shells filled with cheese. ∎  the walls of an unfinished or gutted building or other structure: the hotel was a shell, the roof having collapsed completely. ∎ fig. an outer form without substance: he was a shell of the man he had been previously. ∎  a light racing boat used in the sport of crew. ∎  a woman's sleeveless sweater or blouse. ∎  the metal framework of a vehicle body. ∎  an inner or roughly made coffin. ∎  the handguard of a sword. ∎  Physics each of a set of orbitals around the nucleus of an atom, occupied or able to be occupied by electrons of similar energies. 3. an explosive artillery projectile or bomb: the sound of the shell passing over, followed by the explosion | [as adj.] shell holes. ∎  a hollow metal or paper case used as a container for fireworks, explosives, or cartridges. ∎  a cartridge. 4. Comput. short for shell program. • v. 1. [tr.] bombard with shells: the guns started shelling their positions. 2. [tr.] remove the shell or pod from (a nut or seed): they were shelling peas | [as adj.] (shelled) shelled Brazil nuts. 3. [intr.] gather seashells: there was nothing to do except swim or go shelling on the beaches. PHRASAL VERBS: shell something out (or shell out) inf. pay a specified amount of money, esp. an amount that is resented as being excessive: it doesn't make sense to shell out $8.50 for an elevator ride.DERIVATIVES: shelled adj. [in comb.] : a soft-shelled clam. shell-less adj. shell-like / -ˌlīk/ adj. shell·y / ˈshelē/ adj.

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"shell." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"shell." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-shell.html

"shell." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-shell.html

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shell

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

shell in zoology, hard outer covering secreted by an animal for protection. It is also called the test, crust, or carapace. The term usually refers to the calcareous shells of the many species of mollusk but is also applied to the exoskeleton of the crab and other crustaceans, to the bony covering of the turtle, and to the hard exterior of a bird's egg. People have made use of mollusk shells since early times as receptacles for food and water, as currency (see shell money ), and for ornament. The scientific study of shells is called conchology.

Bibliography: See P. A. Morris, A Field Guide to the Shells (of the Atlantic coast, 1973; the Pacific, 1974); J. M. Eisenberg, A Collector's Guide to Seashells of the World (1980); The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Shells (1981); S. D. Romashko, The Shell Book (1984); K. R. Wye, The Simon & Schuster Pocket Guide to Shells of the World (1989).

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shell

The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea | 2006 | Copyright

shell.
1. The outer part or body of a block inside which the sheave revolves. The shells of wooden blocks are scored to hold the strop with which they are bound and which embraces the eye or hook, at the top or bottom of the block.

2. The calcareous protective structure which encloses the bodies of molluscs, namely snails and clams. Snails have a single shell, which is often twisted into a spiral and may be decorated with ribs and spines. In bivalve clams there is a pair of hinged shells which entirely encloses the body. The hard outer skeleton of crustaceans like crabs is also colloquially referred to as a shell.
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shell

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture | 2000 | | Copyright

shell.
1. Concrete structure evolved from work by Candela, Freyssinet, Maillart, Nervi, Nowicki, Saarinen, and Torroja, and derived from the exemplar of an eggshell. The stressed skin or shell operates with the frame to form a strong structural system.

2. Scallop.

3. Ornament called coquillage in which shells and mother-of-pearl pieces are used for effect in grottoes, marine ornament, nymphaea, etc.

Bibliography

J. Joedicke (1963);
Lewis & Darley (1986);
W. Papworth (1887)
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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "shell." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "shell." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-shell.html

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shell

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

shell hard outer covering of an animal, fruit, etc.; scale or scale-like object OE.; hollow or concave object XVI; exterior cover or case (spec. one containing powder and shot) XVII. OE. (Angl.) sċell, (WS.) sċiell = (M)LG., MDu. schelle, schille, Du. schel, schil pod, rind, scale, shell, ON. skel sea-shell, Goth. skalja tile :- Gmc. *skaljō, f. *skal- (cf. SCALE1, 2).
Hence vb. XVI.
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T. F. HOAD. "shell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "shell." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-shell.html

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shell

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | Copyright

shell n.
1. an explosive artillery projectile or bomb: the sound of the shell passing over, followed by the explosion | shell holes.

2. a hollow metal or paper case used as a container for fireworks, explosives, or cartridges.

3. a cartridge.
v. bombard with shells: the guns started shelling their positions.
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"shell." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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shell

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

shell In biology, the hard protective case of various molluscs. or eggs of animals, such as birds, tortoises, turtles, or snakes. The case is secreted by the epidermis of the mollusc and consists of a protein matrix strengthened by calcium carbonate. The shell of a bird is also mostly composed of calcium.
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shell

A Dictionary of Computing | 2004 | | Copyright

shell A program that provides the user interface of an operating system and is often considered to be part of it. The main inner part of the operating system, the kernel, is thus enclosed by the shell, as in a nut. Some operating systems have a choice of shells.
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JOHN DAINTITH. "shell." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN DAINTITH. "shell." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-shell.html

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Shell

A Dictionary of First Names | 2006 | | Copyright

Shell ♀ Generally, this is a shortened form of Michelle, respelled by association with the vocabulary word. In some cases it may be a shortened form of Shelley.
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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Shell." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Shell." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Shell.html

PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Shell." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Shell.html

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shell

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

shell a (scallop) shell is the emblem of St James the Great. It is also known as a pilgrim's shell.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "shell." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "shell." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-shell.html

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she'll

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

she'll / shēl/ • contr. of she shall; she will.

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shell

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

shell •Adele, Aix-la-Chapelle, aquarelle, artel, au naturel, bagatelle, béchamel, befell, bell, belle, boatel, Brunel, Cadell, carousel, cartel, cell, Chanel, chanterelle, clientele, Clonmel, compel, Cornell, crime passionnel, dell, demoiselle, dispel, dwell, el, ell, Estelle, excel, expel, farewell, fell, Fidel, fontanelle, foretell, Gabrielle, gazelle, gel, Giselle, hell, hotel, impel, knell, lapel, mademoiselle, maître d'hôtel, Manuel, marcel, matériel, mesdemoiselles, Michel, Michelle, Miguel, misspell, morel, moschatel, Moselle, motel, muscatel, nacelle, Nell, Nobel, Noel, organelle, outsell, Parnell, pell-mell, personnel, propel, quell, quenelle, rappel, Raquel, Ravel, rebel, repel, Rochelle, Sahel, sardelle, sell, shell, show-and-tell, smell, Snell, spell, spinel, swell, tell, undersell, vielle, villanelle, well, yell •Buñuel • Pachelbel • handbell •barbell • harebell • decibel • doorbell •cowbell • bluebell • Annabel •mirabelle • Christabel • Jezebel •Isabel, Isobel •nutshell • infidel • asphodel •zinfandel • Grenfell • Hillel • parallel •Cozumel • caramel • Fresnel •pimpernel • pipistrelle • Tricel •filoselle

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shell. (Image by Mila, GFDL)

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