shell
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishWeapons, Biologyshellshell1 /ʃel/ ●●● S3 W3 noun [countable]1
a) the hard outer part that covers and protects an egg, nut, or seedNever buy eggs with cracked shells.peanuts roasted in their shells b) the hard protective covering of an animal such as a snail, mussel, or craba snail shellThe children were collecting shells on the beach. → seashell2 PMWa metal container, like a large bullet, which is full of an explosive substance and is fired from a large gunWe ran for cover as shells dropped all around us.an exploding mortar shell 3 especially American EnglishPMW a metal tube containing a bullet and an explosive substance SYN cartridge4 TTBBUILDthe outside structure of something, especially the part of a building that remains when the rest of it has been destroyedshell ofthe burnt-out shell of a nightclub5 → out of your shell Examples from the Corpusshell• A shell had exploded in the body of one of them, tearing it to pieces; others were torn and wounded.• It is decorated with electric patterns of beads and shells and rests on wooden runners.• clam shells• Throw away any eggs with cracked shells.• Despite their hardy shells they are delicate fishes and easily injured.• The turtle poked its head out of its shell.• a parka with a waterproof nylon shell• Most buildings in the area are just burned-out shells.• Pour the mixture into a prepared pie shell and bake at 375° for 45 minutes.• Pour into two pie shells and bake for 15 minutes.• taco shells• Rain falls through the shell of the echoing house. Military, Cooking, Weaponsshellshell2 ●○○ verb [transitive]1 PMSHOOTto fire shells from large guns at somethingThe army has been shelling the town since yesterday.► see thesaurus at shoot2 DFCto remove something such as beans or nuts from a shell or podJosie was shelling peas in the kitchen. → shell out (something)→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpusshell• The complaint against them, it seems, is that they supplied the troops around Sarajevo who shelled and sniped at civilians.• The site would be the Olympic stadium, which was heavily shelled but still stands.• Border towns have been shelled by enemy aircraft for the past two months.• Shooting and shelling erupt sporadically from both sides.• British warships began shelling German positions along the coast.• For instance, the network has shelled out big bucks to snare Bill Cosby for a new sitcom in the fall.• Others continue to shell out money.• They targeted the area's most vital structures, shelling power plants and hospitals.• Add one pound of cooked, shelled shrimp.• The forces of tyranny and aggression shelled the Mandali suburbs, Khurmal and Darband-e-Khan with long-range artillery.• And the possibility of further shelling was anything but remote in those days.shelling peas• He knew Marshka would destroy him as effortlessly and unthinkingly as shelling peas.• We are peeling potatoes, forming tiny meatballs, browning chicken, shelling peas.ShellShell trademarka very large international oil company which has many petrol stations world-wideFrom Longman Business Dictionaryshellshell /ʃel/ verb → shell out something→ See Verb tableOrigin shell1 Old English sciell
a) the hard outer part that covers and protects an egg, nut, or seedNever buy eggs with cracked shells.peanuts roasted in their shells b) the hard protective covering of an animal such as a snail, mussel, or craba snail shellThe children were collecting shells on the beach. → seashell2 PMWa metal container, like a large bullet, which is full of an explosive substance and is fired from a large gunWe ran for cover as shells dropped all around us.an exploding mortar shell 3 especially American EnglishPMW a metal tube containing a bullet and an explosive substance SYN cartridge4 TTBBUILDthe outside structure of something, especially the part of a building that remains when the rest of it has been destroyedshell ofthe burnt-out shell of a nightclub5 → out of your shell Examples from the Corpusshell• A shell had exploded in the body of one of them, tearing it to pieces; others were torn and wounded.• It is decorated with electric patterns of beads and shells and rests on wooden runners.• clam shells• Throw away any eggs with cracked shells.• Despite their hardy shells they are delicate fishes and easily injured.• The turtle poked its head out of its shell.• a parka with a waterproof nylon shell• Most buildings in the area are just burned-out shells.• Pour the mixture into a prepared pie shell and bake at 375° for 45 minutes.• Pour into two pie shells and bake for 15 minutes.• taco shells• Rain falls through the shell of the echoing house. Military, Cooking, Weaponsshellshell2 ●○○ verb [transitive]1 PMSHOOTto fire shells from large guns at somethingThe army has been shelling the town since yesterday.► see thesaurus at shoot2 DFCto remove something such as beans or nuts from a shell or podJosie was shelling peas in the kitchen. → shell out (something)→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpusshell• The complaint against them, it seems, is that they supplied the troops around Sarajevo who shelled and sniped at civilians.• The site would be the Olympic stadium, which was heavily shelled but still stands.• Border towns have been shelled by enemy aircraft for the past two months.• Shooting and shelling erupt sporadically from both sides.• British warships began shelling German positions along the coast.• For instance, the network has shelled out big bucks to snare Bill Cosby for a new sitcom in the fall.• Others continue to shell out money.• They targeted the area's most vital structures, shelling power plants and hospitals.• Add one pound of cooked, shelled shrimp.• The forces of tyranny and aggression shelled the Mandali suburbs, Khurmal and Darband-e-Khan with long-range artillery.• And the possibility of further shelling was anything but remote in those days.shelling peas• He knew Marshka would destroy him as effortlessly and unthinkingly as shelling peas.• We are peeling potatoes, forming tiny meatballs, browning chicken, shelling peas.ShellShell trademarka very large international oil company which has many petrol stations world-wideFrom Longman Business Dictionaryshellshell /ʃel/ verb → shell out something→ See Verb tableOrigin shell1 Old English sciell