shelled
|shelled|
/ʃɛld/
(shell)
protective outer layer
Etymology
'shell' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'scell' (or 'scell' variants), which referred to a shell or husk; related forms appear in other Germanic languages.
'shell' changed from Old English 'scell' (also Middle English forms like 'schel') and is ultimately from Proto-Germanic '*skall-'. The modern English 'shell' developed through Middle English spellings.
Initially, it meant 'a hard outer covering' (of eggs, nuts, etc.). Over time it kept that core meaning and extended metaphorically and by technological development to mean 'to remove a shell' (as a verb) and to refer to explosive projectiles ('shells'), giving rise to the verb sense 'to bombard with shells'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'shell'.
Shelled is the past participle of 'shell'.
Synonyms
Verb 2
to have removed the shell, husk, or outer covering from something (e.g., shell peas, shell nuts).
She shelled the peas before cooking.
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Verb 3
to have bombarded with artillery shells; to have shot explosive shells at a place or target.
The town was shelled during the battle.
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Adjective 1
having had the shell or outer covering removed (e.g., shelled almonds, shelled prawns).
I bought a bag of shelled almonds.
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Last updated: 2025/10/04 09:25