de-shell
|de-shell|
🇺🇸
/diːˈʃɛl/
🇬🇧
/dɪˈʃɛl/
remove an outer shell
Etymology
'de-shell' is formed in Modern English by adding the prefix 'de-' to the noun 'shell'. The prefix 'de-' comes from Latin 'de-' meaning 'away, off, remove', and 'shell' comes from Old English 'sċell(e)' meaning 'shell, husk'.
'shell' changed from Old English 'sċell(e)' to Middle English 'shelle' and eventually became the modern English word 'shell'. The prefixed verb form (de- + shell) is a modern formation using the productive prefix 'de-'.
Initially 'shell' meant a hard outer covering; over time this core meaning has remained, and 'de-shell' developed as a productive verb meaning 'to remove that covering.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of removing a shell or outer covering (gerund/noun use of the verb).
De-shell the nuts carefully to avoid damaging them.
Synonyms
Verb 1
to remove the outer shell or hard covering from something (e.g., nuts, shellfish).
Please de-shell the shrimp before cooking.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/07 02:08