shell

/ʃˈɛl/ · 1 syllable

Meaning

noun

ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
the material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals
hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
the hard usually fibrous outer layer of some fruits especially nuts
the exterior covering of a bird's egg
a rigid covering that envelops an object
“the satellite is covered with a smooth shell of ice”
a very light narrow racing boat
the housing or outer covering of something
“the clock has a walnut case”
a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
the hard largely calcareous covering of a mollusc or a brachiopod

verb

use explosives on
“The enemy has been shelling us all day”
create by using explosives
“blast a passage through the mountain”
fall out of the pod or husk
“The corn shelled”
hit the pitches of hard and regularly
“He shelled the pitcher for eight runs in the first inning”
look for and collect shells by the seashore
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
“Agassi beat Becker in the tennis championship”
remove from its shell or outer covering
“shell the legumes”
remove the husks from
“husk corn”

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