hull Hear it!

hull1 definition

hull (hul)

noun

  1. the outer covering of a seed or fruit, as the husk of grain, pod of a pea, shell of a nut, etc.
  2. the calyx of some fruits, as the raspberry
  3. any outer covering

Etymology: ME hule < OE hulu, akin to Ger hülle, covering: for IE base see hall

transitive verb

to take the hull or hulls off (a seed or fruit)

Related Forms:

hull2 definition

hull (hul)

noun

  1. the frame or body of a ship, excluding the masts, rigging, superstructure, etc.
    1. the main body of an airship
    2. the watertight frame or main body of a flying boat, amphibious plane or vehicle, hydrofoil, etc., on which it floats when in the water

Etymology: special use of hull, prob. infl. by Du hol, ship's hold

transitive verb

to pierce the hull of (a ship) with a shell, torpedo, etc.
hull Idioms

hull down

far enough away so that the hull is below the horizon and only the masts, stacks, etc. are visible
Hull1 definition

Hull (hul)

Hull, Cordell (kôr′del) 1871-1955; U.S. statesman: secretary of state (1933-44)
Hull2 definition

Hull (hul)

  1. seaport in Humberside, England, on the Humber estuary: county district pop. 254,000: officially Kingston upon Hull
  2. city in SW Quebec, Canada: pop. 62,000

    Etymology: after district in Yorkshire, England

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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