shell

Meanings

• ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
• the material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals
• hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
• the hard usually fibrous outer layer of some fruits especially nuts
• the exterior covering of a bird's egg
• a rigid covering that envelops an object
  • "the satellite is covered with a smooth shell of ice"
• a very light narrow racing boat
• the housing or outer covering of something
• a metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
• the hard largely calcareous covering of a mollusc or a brachiopod
• use explosives on
  • "The enemy has been shelling us all day"
• create by using explosives
• fall out of the pod or husk
  • "The corn shelled"
• hit the pitches of hard and regularly
  • "He shelled the pitcher for eight runs in the first inning"
• look for and collect shells by the seashore
• come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
• remove from its shell or outer covering
  • "shell the legumes"
  • "shell mussels"
• remove the husks from

Synonyms

beat, beat out, blast, carapace, case, casing, crush, cuticle, eggshell, husk, plate, racing shell, scale, shield, trounce, vanquish