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Antonyms for shell

Grammar : Noun
Spell : shel
Phonetic Transcription : ʃɛl

Definition of shell

Origin :
  • Old English sciell, scill, Anglian scell "seashell, eggshell," related to Old English scealu "shell, husk," from Proto-Germanic *skaljo "piece cut off; shell; scale" (cf. West Frisian skyl "peel, rind," Middle Low German schelle "pod, rind, egg shell," Gothic skalja "tile"), with the shared notion of "covering that splits off," from PIE root *(s)kel- (1) "to cut, cleave" (cf. Old Church Slavonic skolika "shell," Russian skala "bark, rind;" see scale (n.1)). Italian scaglia "chip" is from Germanic.
  • Sense of "mere exterior" is from 1650s; that of "hollow framework" is from 1791. Meaning "structure for a band or orchestra" is attested from 1938. Military use (1640s) was first of hand grenades, in reference to the metal case in which the gunpowder and shot were mixed; the notion is of a "hollow object" filled with explosives. Hence shell shock, first recorded 1915. Shell game "a swindle" is from 1890, from a version of three-card monte played with a pea and walnut shells.
  • noun structure; covering
Example sentences :
  • Things as trifling as the turning of a shell may restore you to your rights.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • One day she hit the shell in the wrong place--and they're still looking for the monkey.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • What precautions should be taken in the purchase of shell fish?
  • Extract from : « Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 3 » by Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
  • Shell be greatly taken, with the notion that he sent for me instead of me running after him!
  • Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine
  • Extract the meat from the shell, and cut it into small pieces.
  • Extract from : « Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches » by Eliza Leslie
  • When it is cold break it up, and extract all the flesh from the shell.
  • Extract from : « Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches » by Eliza Leslie
  • Cut a slit in the shell of every one to prevent their bursting when hot.
  • Extract from : « Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches » by Eliza Leslie
  • Its spout was torn and ragged like the mouth of a gun when a shell has burst there.
  • Extract from : « American Notes » by Rudyard Kipling
  • Dick, reckless of shell and bullets, tried to pierce the cloud with his eyes.
  • Extract from : « The Rock of Chickamauga » by Joseph A. Altsheler
  • A shell from his own army had burst near him, and he had been thrown down by the concussion.
  • Extract from : « The Rock of Chickamauga » by Joseph A. Altsheler

Synonyms for shell

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019