shell

[ʃɛl]

the protective calcareous or membranous outer layer of an egg, esp a bird's egg

the hard outer covering of many molluscs that is secreted by the mantle

any other hard outer layer, such as the exoskeleton of many arthropods

the hard outer layer of some fruits, esp of nuts

any hard outer case

a hollow artillery projectile filled with explosive primed to explode either during flight, on impact, or after penetrationSee ball

a small-arms cartridge comprising a hollow casing inside which is the primer, charge, and bullet

a pyrotechnic cartridge designed to explode in the air

a very light narrow racing boat

the external structure of a building, esp one that is unfinished or one that has been gutted by fire

the basic structural case of something, such as a machine, vehicle, etc

a class of electron orbits in an atom in which the electrons have the same principal quantum number and orbital angular momentum quantum number and differences in their energy are small compared with differences in energy between shells.an analogous energy state of nucleons in certain theories (shell models) of the structure of the atomic nucleus

the pastry case of a pie, flan, etc

a thin slab of concrete or a skeletal framework made of wood or metal that forms a shell-like roof

(in some schools) a class or form

to divest or be divested of a shell, husk, pod, etc

to separate or be separated from an ear, husk, cob, etc

to bombard with artillery shells

See shell out