Definition of 'shell'

Noun

1. ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
2. the material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals
3. hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
      Synonyms: carapace cuticle shield
4. the hard usually fibrous outer layer of some fruits especially nuts
5. the exterior covering of a bird's egg
      Synonyms: eggshell
6. a rigid covering that envelops an object; "the satellite is covered with a smooth shell of ice"
7. a very light narrow racing boat
      Synonyms: racing shell
8. the housing or outer covering of something; "the clock has a walnut case"
      Synonyms: case casing
9. a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
      Synonyms: plate scale
10. the hard largely calcareous covering of a mollusc

Verb

1. use explosives on; "The enemy has been shelling us all day"
      Synonyms: blast
2. fall out of the pod or husk; "The corn shelled"
3. hit the pitches of hard and regularly; "He shelled the pitcher for eight runs in the first inning"
4. look for and collect shells by the seashore
5. come out better in a competition, race, or conflict; "Agassi beat Becker in the tennis championship"; "We beat the competition"; "Harvard defeated Yale in the last football game"
      Synonyms: beat beat out crush trounce vanquish
6. remove from its shell or outer covering; "shell the legumes"; "shell mussels"
7. remove the husks from; "husk corn"
      Synonyms: husk

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