shelter
pronunciation
How to pronounce shelter in British English:
UK [ˈʃeltə(r)]
How to pronounce shelter in American English:
US [ˈʃeltər]
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- Noun:
- a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
- protective covering that provides protection from the weather
- the condition of being protected
- a way of organizing business to reduce the taxes it must pay on current earnings
- temporary housing for homeless or displaced persons
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- Verb:
- provide shelter for
- invest (money) so that it is not taxable
Word Origin
- shelter
- shelter: [16] The origins of shelter are unclear, but the most usually accepted explanation is that it is an alteration of the now obsolete sheltron. This denoted a body of troops which protected itself in battle with a covering of joined shields. It was descended from Old English scieldtruma, a compound formed from scield, the ancestor of modern English shield, and truma ‘troop’.=> shield
- shelter (n.)
- 1580s, "structure affording protection," possibly an alteration of Middle English sheltron, sheldtrume "roof or wall formed by locked shields," from Old English scyldtruma, from scield "shield" (see shield (n.)) + truma "troop," related to Old English trum "firm, strong" (see trim). If so, the original notion is of a compact body of men protected by interlocking shields. OED finds this "untenable" and proposed derivation from shield + -ture. Figurative sense is recorded from 1580s; meaning "temporary lodging for homeless poor" is first recorded 1890 in Salvation Army jargon; sense of "temporary home for animals" is from 1971. Related: Shelterless.
- shelter (v.)
- 1580s, "to screen, protect," from shelter (n.); in the income investment sense, from 1955. Meaning "to take shelter" is from c. 1600. Related: Sheltered; sheltering.
Example
- 1. Campsites in tornado-prone areas usually have a tornado shelter .
- 2. But not everyone has even this most basic shelter .
- 3. Fortunately for li , other animal lovers help fund his dog shelter .
- 4. If you have time , seek shelter immediately .
- 5. Lacking legal shelter , they resort to professional norms .