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shell

1 shell /ˈʃɛl/ noun
plural shells
1 shell
/ˈʃɛl/
noun
plural shells
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHELL
: the hard outer covering of an animal, insect, etc., that protects it
[count]
[noncount]
see also seashell, tortoiseshell
: the hard outer covering of a nut, fruit, or seed
[count]
[noncount]
[count] US : something (such as pasta) that is shaped like a shell
[count] : the hard outer structure of a building, car, airplane, etc. usually singular
[count] chiefly US : a hard or crisp piece of bread, dough, etc., that is used to hold a filling
[count]
: a metal case that is filled with an explosive and that is shot from a cannon
chiefly US : a metal tube that you put into a gun and that holds an explosive and a bullet : cartridge
used in phrases that describe becoming less shy and more willing to talk to other people
used in phrases that describe becoming quieter, less active, etc.
2 shell /ˈʃɛl/ verb
shells; shelled; shelling
2 shell
/ˈʃɛl/
verb
shells; shelled; shelling
Britannica Dictionary definition of SHELL
[+ object]
: to remove the shell or outer covering of (something)
: to shoot shells at (someone or something) using large guns
US, informal : to score heavily against (a pitcher) in baseball usually used as (be) shelled

shell out

[phrasal verb]
shell out or shell out (money) informal
: to pay a large amount of money for something usually + for