shell

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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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