shingle
noun /ˈʃɪŋɡl/
/ˈʃɪŋɡl/
- [uncountable] a mass of small smooth stones on a beach or at the side of a river
enlarge image- a shingle beach
- [countable, uncountable] a small flat piece of wood that is used to cover a wall or roof of a building
- [countable] (North American English) a board with a sign on it, in front of a doctor’s or lawyer’s office
- He hung out his own shingle (= started a business as a doctor or lawyer).
Word Originsense 1 late Middle English: of unknown origin.senses 2 to 3 Middle English (as a noun): apparently from Latin scindula, earlier scandula ‘a split piece of wood’.