shelter

The definition of a shelter is a structure that provides cover or protection.

(noun)

An example of a shelter is a house.

To shelter is defined as to provide protection or cover.

(verb)

An example of to shelter is to give a homeless person a place to live.

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See shelter in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. something that covers or protects; protection, or place affording protection, as from the elements or danger
  2. the state of being covered or protected; protection; refuge
  3. any of various places for providing food and lodging on a temporary or emergency basis, as one for the homeless or one for stray pets

Origin: prob. < ME scheltroun, earlier scheltrum < OE sceldtruma, lit., shield troop, body of men protected by interlocked shields < scield (see shield) + truma, an array, troop; akin to trum, strong: (see trim)

transitive verb

to provide shelter or refuge for; protect

intransitive verb

to find protection or refuge

Related Forms:

See shelter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. Something that provides cover or protection, as from the weather.
    b. A refuge; a haven.
    c. An establishment that provides temporary housing for homeless people.
  2. The state of being covered or protected.
verb shel·tered, shel·ter·ing, shel·ters
verb, transitive
  1. To provide cover or protection for.
  2. To invest (income) to protect it from taxation.
verb, intransitive
To take cover; find refuge.

Origin:

Origin: Perhaps from Middle English sheltron, tight battle formation

Origin: , from Old English scildtruma

Origin: : scield, shield; see shield

Origin: + truma, troop; see deru- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • shelˈter·er noun
  • shelˈter·less adjective

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