electron shell noun

A group of electrons surrounding a nucleus of an atom and having adjacent energy levels

electron telescope noun

An optical instrument with electronic image converter used with a normal telescope

electron tube noun

An electronic device in which the electron conduction is in a vacuum or gas inside a gas-tight enclosure, eg a thermionic valve

elecˈtronvolt noun

A unit of energy equal to that acquired by an electron when accelerated by a potential of one volt

shell /shel/

noun

1. A hard outer covering, esp of a shellfish, a tortoise, an egg, or a nut
2. A husk, pod, or rind
3. A shelled mollusc
4. An outer framework
5. The outer, often waterproof or showerproof, layer of a lined garment such as a jacket, coat, trousers, etc
6. A crust
7. A hollow sphere or the like
8. A mere outside, empty case, or lifeless relic
9. Any frail structure
10. A type of light racing boat
11. A light coffin
12. A conch trumpet
13. A lyre of tortoise-shell
14. An explosive projectile shot from a cannon, large gun, etc
15. A cartridge containing explosive for small arms, fireworks, etc
16. A piece of quicklime
17. A shell program
18. In some schools, an intermediate class (from one that met in an apse at Westminster)

adjective

Of, with, or like shell or shells

transitive verb

1. To separate from the shell
2. To case
3. To throw, fire, etc shells at

intransitive verb

1. To peel, scale
2. To separate from the shell

shelled adjective

1. Having a shell
2. Separated from the shell, pod, etc

shellˈer noun

shellˈful noun

shellˈiness noun

shellˈing noun

shellˈ-less adjective

shellˈ-like adjective

1. Resembling a mollusc's shell
2. Used as an epithet for the ear (poetic or joc)

noun (informal)

An ear

shellˈy adjective

1. Of or like shell or shells
2. Abounding in shells
3. Having a shell
4. Testaceous

shellˈback noun

1. An old sailor
2. A sailor who has crossed the equator

shellˈbark noun

A hickory with peeling bark

shell bean noun (US)

1. A bean removed from, and eaten without, its pod
2. Any of various bean plants suitable for this

shellˈbound adjective

(of a baby bird, etc) unable to escape from the shell

shell company noun

A little-known or failing company through which a major company conducts business clandestinely

shellˈ-crater noun

A hole in the ground made by a bursting shell

shellˈfire noun

Bombardment with shells

shellˈfish noun

A shelled aquatic invertebrate, esp a mollusc or crustacean, or such animals collectively

shell game noun (N American)

Thimblerig

shell heap noun (archaeology)

A heap of domestic refuse consisting mainly of shells, associated with peoples who lived on shellfish

shellˈ-hole noun

A shell-crater

shellˈ-ice noun

Ice no longer supported by water

shell jacket noun

A tight, short military jacket

shell lime noun

Lime made from seashells

shellˈ-limeˈstone noun

A limestone mainly consisting of shells

shellˈ-marl noun

A white, earthy lacustrine deposit

shell money noun

Wampum

shell mound noun

A shell heap

shell ornament noun

A decoration based on the form of a shell

shell parrakeet or shell parrot noun

The budgerigar

shell pink noun

A pale yellow-tinged shade of pink

shell-pinkˈ adjective

shell program noun (computing)

A program, often concerned with look and feel, that can be developed for particular applications by the user

shellˈproof adjective

Able to resist shells or bombs

shellˈ-sand noun

Sand consisting in great part of calcareous remains of dead organisms

shellˈshock noun

1. Mental disturbance due to war experiences, once thought to be caused by the bursting of shells
2. Mental disturbance due to similar violent, etc experiences

shellˈshocked adjective

shell star noun (astronomy)

A star surrounded by a gaseous shell

shell suit noun

A type of lightweight tracksuit with a crinkly nylon outer layer and a cotton lining

shellˈwork noun

Work composed of or adorned with shells

shellˈycoat noun (Scot)

1. A water goblin dressed in shells
2. A sheriff's messenger

come out of one's shell

To cease to be shy and reticent

electron shell see under electron

shell out (informal)

1. To pay up
2. To pay out, spend