shell-like

shell-like
shell ► NOUN 1) the hard protective outer case of an animal such as a snail, shellfish, or turtle. 2) the outer covering of an egg, nut kernel, or seed. 3) an explosive artillery projectile or bomb. 4) a hollow metal or paper case used as a container for fireworks, explosives, or cartridges. 5) N. Amer. a cartridge. 6) something resembling or likened to a shell, especially a hollow case. 7) the walls of an unfinished or gutted building. 8) a light racing boat. 9) (also shell program) Computing a program providing an interface between the user and the operating system.
► VERB 1) bombard with shells. 2) remove the shell or pod from. 3) (shell out) informal pay (an amount of money).
● come out of one's shell — Cf. ↑come out of one's shell
DERIVATIVES shelled adjective shell-less adjective shell-like adjective shelly adjective.
ORIGIN Old English, related to SCALE(Cf. ↑scale).

English terms dictionary. 2015.

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  • shell-like — ˈshelˌlīk adjective : resembling a shell (as in form or composition) * * * shellˈ like adjective 1. Resembling a mollusc s shell 2. Used as an epithet for the ear (poetic or joc) noun (informal) An ear • • • Main Entry: ↑shell …   Useful english dictionary

  • shell-like — /ˈʃɛl laɪk/ (say shel luyk) Colloquial (humorous) –noun 1. an ear: a word in your shell like, please. –phrase 2. whisper in someone s shell like, to confide in someone …  

  • shell-like — 1. adjective Having a similar shape to a seashell 2. noun The ear, particularly in set phrases. Can I have a quick word in your shell like, when youve got a moment? …   Wiktionary

  • shell-like — • the ear. e.g. The old phrase Can I have a word in your shell like ? …   Londonisms dictionary

  • shell´-like´ — …   Useful english dictionary

  • a word in your shell-like — Meaning I would like to talk to you. Origin Shell like ear …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • shell — less, adj. shell like, adj. /shel/, n. 1. a hard outer covering of an animal, as the hard case of a mollusk, or either half of the case of a bivalve mollusk. 2. any of various objects resembling such a covering, as in shape or in being more or… …   Universalium

  • shell — [shel] n. [ME schelle < OE sciel, akin to MDu schelle < IE base * (s)kel : see SHELF] 1. a hard outer covering, as of a turtle, mollusk, insect, egg, fruit, seed, etc. 2. something like or suggestive of a shell in being hollow, empty, or… …   English World dictionary

  • Shell Centre — Shell Centre, in London, United Kingdom is one of the two central offices of oil major Shell (the other is in The Hague). It comprises a skyscraper tower and three nine storey wings (the upstream building ). It also once included a separate… …   Wikipedia

  • shell — ► NOUN 1) the hard protective outer case of an animal such as a snail, shellfish, or turtle. 2) the outer covering of an egg, nut kernel, or seed. 3) an explosive artillery projectile or bomb. 4) a hollow metal or paper case used as a container… …   English terms dictionary

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