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shell

shell

 
 
pronunciation:
shel
parts of speech:
noun, verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a hard outer covering of certain animals, such clams, snails, or oysters. This type of shell is made by the animal itself, and it is used by the animal to protect itself.
 
similar words:
armor, shield
definition 2: a protective outer layer of the body of an animal, such as a turtle, beetle, lobster, or crab.
 
definition 3: a natural structure that protects and completely surrounds certain developing animals, such as birds or reptiles.
 
definition 4: a hard, or somewhat hard, natural structure that surrounds and protects a nut or fruit.
 
definition 5: any hard outer layer that holds something together or shields against harm, such as the outer walls a ship.
Pour the mixture into the pie shell.This canoe has an aluminum shell.
similar words:
shield
definition 6: a piece of ammunition used in a cannon or gun.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: shells, shelling, shelled
definition 1: to remove the shell or shells of.
We shelled the crabs.
definition 2: to attack by firing shells from cannon or large guns.
They shelled the enemy position for hours.
similar words:
bombard
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: shell-less (adj.), shell-like (adj.)
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  crustacean, mollusk, reptile, war, weapon