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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