sh [sh often prolonged] -interj
- used often in prolonged or rapidly repeated form to urge or command silence or less noise
- share
Sha·ban [shə-'bän] -n
- the eighth month of the Islamic year
Shab·bat [shə-'bät, 'shä-bəs] -n
- the Jewish Sabbath
shab·by ['sha-bē] -adj, adv, n
- clothed with worn or seedy garments
- threadbare and faded from wear
- ill-kept : dilapidated
- mean, despicable, contemptible
- must feel shabby...because of his compromises -- Nat Hentoff
- ungenerous, unfair
- laments the shabby way in which this country often treated a poet -- Paul Engle
- inferior in quality
Sha·bu·oth [shə-'vü-,ōt, -,ōth, -,ōs, -əs] -n
- a Jewish holiday observed on the sixth and seventh of Sivan in commemoration of the revelation of the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai called also Pentecost
sha·busha·bu ['shä-bü-'shä-bü] -n
- a Japanese dish consisting of thinly sliced beef and vegetables cooked briefly in simmering broth at the table
shack ['shak] -n
- hut, shanty
- a room or similar enclosed structure for a particular person or use
shack·le ['sha-kəl] -n
- something (as a manacle or fetter) that confines the legs or arms
- something that checks or prevents free action as if by fetters usu. used in pl.
- a usu. U-shaped fastening device secured by a bolt or pin through holes in the end of the two arms
- a length of cable or anchor chain of usu. 15 fathoms
shackle [-k(ə-)liŋ] -vt, n
- to bind with shackles : fetter
- to make fast with or as if with a shackle
- to deprive of freedom esp. of action by means of restrictions or handicaps : impede
shack·le·bone ['sha-kəl-,bōn, 'shā-] -n
- wrist
shack up -vi
- to sleep or live together as unmarried sexual partners
shad ['shad] -n
- any of several fishes (esp. genus Alosa) of the herring family that differ from the typical herrings (genus Clupeus) in having a relatively deep body and in being anadromous and that include some important food fishes of Europe and No. America
shad·ber·ry [-,ber-ē] -n
- serviceberry
shad·blow ['shad-,blō] -n
- serviceberry
shad·bush [-,bu̇sh] -n
- serviceberry
shad·dock ['sha-dək] -n
- pomelo
shade ['shād] -n, adj
- comparative darkness or obscurity owing to interception of the rays of light
- relative obscurity or retirement
- shelter (as by foliage) from the heat and glare of sunlight
- a place sheltered from the sun
- an evanescent or unreal appearance
- the shadows that gather as darkness comes on
- netherworld, hades
- a disembodied spirit : ghost
- used to signal the similarity between a previously encountered person or situation and one at hand usu. used in pl.
- : something that intercepts or shelters from light, sun, or heat: as
- a device partially covering a lamp so as to reduce glare
- a flexible screen usu. mounted on a roller for regulating the light or the view through a window
- sunglasses
- the reproduction of the effect of shade in painting or drawing
- a subdued or somber feature
- a color produced by a pigment or dye mixture having some black in it
- a color slightly different from the one under consideration
- a minute difference or variation : nuance
- a minute degree or quantity
- a facial expression of sadness or displeasure
- to shelter or screen by intercepting radiated light or heat
- to cover with a shade
- to hide partly by or as if by a shadow
- to darken with or as if with a shadow
- to better or exceed by a shade
- to represent the effect of shade or shadow on
- to add shading to
- to color so that the shades pass gradually from one to another
- to change by gradual transition or qualification
- to reduce slightly (as a price)
- slant, bias
- to pass by slight changes or imperceptible degrees
- to undergo or exhibit minute difference or variation
shadegrown ['shād-,grōn] -adj
- grown in the shade
- grown under cloth
shade tree -n
- a tree grown primarily to produce shade
shading -n
- the use of marking made within outlines to suggest three-dimensionality, shadow, or degrees of light and dark in a picture or drawing
- an interpretative effect in music gained esp. by subtle changes in dynamics
sha·doof [shə-'düf, sha-] -n
- a counterbalanced sweep used since ancient times esp. in Egypt for raising water (as for irrigation)
shad·ow ['sha-(,)dō] -n, adj
- partial darkness or obscurity within a part of space from which rays from a source of light are cut off by an interposed opaque body
- a reflected image
- shelter from danger or observation
- an imperfect and faint representation
- an imitation of something : copy
- the dark figure cast upon a surface by a body intercepting the rays from a source of light
- phantom
- dark
- a shaded or darker portion of a picture
- an attenuated form or a vestigial remnant
- an inseparable companion or follower
- one (as a spy or detective) that shadows
- a small degree or portion : trace
- a source of gloom or unhappiness
- an area near an object : vicinity
- pervasive and dominant influence
- a state of ignominy or obscurity
shadow [-dō-ər, -də-wər] -vt, n
- shelter, protect
- to cast a shadow upon : cloud
- to shelter from the sun
- conceal
- to represent or indicate obscurely or faintly often used with forth or out
- to follow esp. secretly : trail
- to accompany and observe esp. in a professional setting
- shade
- to pass gradually or by degrees
- to become overcast with or as if with shadows
- of, relating to, or resembling a shadow cabinet
- shadow minister of defense
- having an indistinct pattern
- having darker sections of design
shad·ow·box ['sha-dō-,bäks, -də-,bäks] -vi
- to box with an imaginary opponent esp. as a form of training
shadow box -n
- a shallow enclosing case usu. with a glass front in which something is set for protection and display
shadow cabinet -n
- a group of leaders of a parliamentary opposition who constitute the probable membership of the cabinet when their party is returned to power
shadow dance -n
- a dance shown by throwing the shadows of dancers on a screen
shad·ow·graph ['sha-dō-,graf, -də-,graf] -n
- shadow play
- a photographic image resembling a shadow
shadow mask -n
- a metal plate in a color cathode-ray tube that contains minute apertures permitting passage of electron beams to specific phosphors on the screen during a scan
shadow play -n
- a drama exhibited by throwing shadows of puppets or actors on a screen called also shadow show
shad·owy ['sha-dō-ē, -də-wē] -adj, adv, n
- of the nature of or resembling a shadow
- faintly perceptible : indistinct
- being in or obscured by shadow
- shady
- shady
shady ['shā-dē] -adj, adv, n
- producing or affording shade
- sheltered from the sun's rays
- of questionable merit : uncertain, unreliable
- disreputable
shaft ['shaft] -n
- the long handle of a spear or similar weapon
- spear, lance
- pole
- either of two long pieces of wood between which a horse is hitched to a vehicle
- an arrow esp. for a longbow
- the body or stem of an arrow extending from the nock to the head
- a sharply delineated beam of light shining through an opening
- : something suggestive of the shaft of a spear or arrow esp. in long slender cylindrical form: as
- the trunk of a tree
- the cylindrical pillar between the capital and the base
- the handle of a tool or instrument (as a golf club)
- a commonly cylindrical bar used to support rotating pieces or to transmit power or motion by rotation
- the stem or central axis of a feather
- the upright member of a cross esp. below the arms
- the cylindrical part of a long bone between the enlarged ends
- a small architectural column (as at each side of a doorway)
- a column, obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument
- a vertical or inclined opening of uniform and limited cross section made for finding or mining ore, raising water, or ventilating underground workings (as in a cave)
- the part of a hair that is visible above the surface of the skin
- a vertical opening or passage through the floors of a building
- a projectile thrown like a spear or shot like an arrow
- a scornful, satirical, or pithily critical remark or attack
- harsh or unfair treatment usu. used with the
- to fit with a shaft
- to treat unfairly or harshly
shaft horsepower -n
- horsepower transmitted by an engine shaft
shaft·ing ['shaf-tiŋ] -n
- shafts or material for shafts
shag ['shag] -n
- a shaggy tangled mass or covering (as of hair)
- long coarse or matted fiber, nap, or pile
- a layered haircut of uneven length
- tobacco cut into fine shreds
- any of various waterbirds related to the cormorants
- cormorant
- shaggy
- to fall or hang in shaggy masses
- to make rough or shaggy
- to have sexual intercourse with
- to chase after
- to chase after and return (a ball) hit usu. out of play
- to catch (a fly) in baseball practice
- to chase away
- to move or lope along
- to dance the shag
- a dance step executed by hopping livelily on each foot in turn
shag·bark ['shag-,bärk] -n
- shagbark hickory
shagbark hickory -n
- a hickory ( Carya ovata) of eastern No. America with sweet edible nuts and a gray shaggy outer bark that peels off in long strips
- its wood
shag·gy ['sha-gē] -adj, adv, n
- covered with or consisting of long, coarse, or matted hair
- covered with or consisting of thick, tangled, or unkempt vegetation
- having a rough nap, texture, or surface
- having hairlike processes
- unkempt
- confused or unclear in conception or thinking
shag·gydog [,sha-gē-'dȯg] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a long-drawn-out circumstantial story concerning an inconsequential happening that impresses the teller as humorous or interesting but the hearer as boring and pointless
- of, relating to, or being a similar humorous story whose humor lies in the pointlessness or irrelevance of the punch line
shag·gy·mane ['sha-gē-,mān] -n
- a common edible mushroom ( Coprinus comatus) having an elongated shaggy white pileus with deliquescing gills and black spores called also shaggy cap
sha·green [sha-'grēn, shə-] -n, adj
- an untanned leather covered with small round granulations and usu. dyed green
- the rough skin of various sharks and rays when covered with small close-set tubercles
shah ['shä, 'shȯ] -n
- a sovereign of Iran
shai·tan [shā-'tän, shī-] -n
- an evil spirit
- an evil jinni
shake ['shāk] -vb, adj
- to move irregularly to and fro
- to vibrate esp. as the result of a blow or shock
- to tremble as a result of physical or emotional disturbance
- to experience a state of instability : totter
- to briskly move something to and fro or up and down esp. in order to mix
- to clasp hands
- trill
- to brandish, wave, or flourish often in a threatening manner
- protesters shaking their fists
- to cause to move to and fro, up and down, or from side to side esp. in a repetitive, rhythmic, or quick jerky manner
- shook his head in disapproval
- to cause to quake, quiver, or tremble
- to free oneself from
- to get away from : get rid of
- can you shake your friend? I want to talk to you alone -- Elmer Davis
- to lessen the stability of : weaken
- to bring to a specified condition by or as if by repeated quick jerky movements
- shook himself loose from the man's grasp
- to dislodge or eject by quick jerky movements of the support or container
- shook the dust from the cloth
- to clasp (hands) in greeting or farewell or as a sign of goodwill or agreement
- to stir the feelings of : upset, agitate
- trill
- : an act of shaking: as
- an act of shaking hands
- an act of shaking oneself
- a blow or shock that upsets the equilibrium or disturbs the balance of something
- earthquake
- a condition of trembling or nervousness
- delirium tremens
- malaria
- : something produced by shaking: as
- a fissure separating annual rings of growth in timber
- milk shake
- a beverage resembling a milk shake but made without milk
- a wavering, quivering, or alternating motion caused by a blow or shock
- trill
- a very brief period of time
- I'll be there in two shake s
- one that is exceptional esp. in importance, ability, or merit usu. used in the phrase no great shakes
- a shingle split from a piece of log usu. three or four feet (about one meter) long
- deal
shake·down ['shāk-,dau̇n] -n
- an improvised bed (as one made up on the floor)
- a boisterous dance
- an act or instance of shaking someone down
- extortion
- a thorough search
- a process or period of adjustment
- a testing under operating conditions of something new (as a ship) for possible faults and defects and for familiarizing the operators with it
shake down -vi
- to take up temporary quarters
- to occupy an improvised or makeshift bed
- to become accustomed esp. to new surroundings or duties
- to settle down
- to obtain money from in a deceitful, contemptible, or illegal manner
- racketeers shaking down store owners for protection
- to make a thorough search of
- to bring about a reduction of
- to give a shakedown test to
- shook down the vessel before its maiden voyage
shake·out ['shāk-,au̇t] -n
- the failure or retrenchment of a significant number of firms in the economy or a sector or an industry that usu. results in a depressed market
- a period or process in which the relatively weak or unessential are eliminated
shake out -vi
- to prove to be in the end : turn out
- wait to see how things shake out
shak·er ['shā-kər] -n, adj
- : one that shakes: as
- a utensil or machine used in shaking
- one that incites, promotes, or directs action
- a member of a millenarian sect originating in England in 1747 and practicing celibacy and an ascetic communal life
Shake·spear·ean [shāk-'spir-ē-ən] -adj
- of, relating to, or having the characteristics of Shakespeare or his writings
- evocative of a theme, setting, or event from a work of Shakespeare
Shakespearean -n
- an authority on or devotee of Shakespeare
Shake·spear·eana [(,)shāk-,spir-ē-'a-nə, -'ä-, -'ā-] -n pl
- collected items by, about, or relating to Shakespeare
Shakespearean sonnet -n
- english sonnet
shakeup ['shāk-,əp] -n
- an act or instance of shaking up
- an extensive and often drastic reorganization
shake up -vt
- chide, scold
- to jar by or as if by a physical shock
- the collision shook up both drivers
- to effect an extensive and often drastic reorganization of
shaking palsy -n
- parkinson's disease
sha·ko ['sha-(,)kō, 'shā-, 'shä-] -n
- a stiff military hat with a high crown and plume
Shak·ta ['shäk-tə, 'säk-] -n or adj
- an adherent of Shaktism
Shak·ti [-tē] -n
- the dynamic energy of a Hindu god personified as his female consort
- cosmic energy as conceived in Hindu thought
Shak·tism [-,ti-zəm] -n
- a Hindu sect worshipping Shakti under various names (as Kali or Durga) in a cult of devotion to the female principle often with magical or orgiastic rites
shaky ['shā-kē] -adj, adv, n
- characterized by shakes
- lacking stability : precarious
- performed well after a shaky start
- lacking in firmness (as of beliefs or principles)
- lacking in authority or reliability : questionable
- shaky experimental procedures
- somewhat unsound in health
- characterized by shaking
- likely to give way or break down
shale ['shāl] -n, adj
- a fissile rock that is formed by the consolidation of clay, mud, or silt, has a finely stratified or laminated structure, and is composed of minerals essentially unaltered since deposition
shale oil -n
- a crude dark oil obtained from oil shale by heating
shall [shəl, 'shal] -vb
- will have to : must
- will be able to : can
- used to express a command or exhortation
- used in laws, regulations, or directives to express what is mandatory
- it shall be unlawful to carry firearms
- used to express what is inevitable or seems likely to happen in the future
- we shall have to be ready
- used to express simple futurity
- used to express determination
- will go
- he to England shall along with you -- Shak.
shal·loon [shə-'lün, sha-] -n
- a lightweight twilled fabric of wool or worsted
shal·lop ['sha-ləp] -n
- a usu. 2-masted ship with lugsails
- a small open boat propelled by oars or sails and used chiefly in shallow waters
shal·lot [shə-'lät also 'sha-lət] -n
- a bulbous perennial onion ( Allium cepa aggregatum) that produces small clustered bulbs which resemble those of garlic and are used in seasoning
- its bulb
- green onion
shal·low ['sha-(,)lō] -adj, adv, n
- having little depth
- having little extension inward or backward
- office buildings have taken the form of shallow slabs -- Lewis Mumford
- penetrating only the easily or quickly perceived
- lacking in depth of knowledge, thought, or feeling
- displacing comparatively little air : weak
shallow -vt
- to make shallow
- to become shallow
- a shallow place or area in a body of water usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
sha·lom [shä-'lōm, shə-] -interj
- used as a Jewish greeting and farewell
shalt [shəl, 'shal] -vb
(variant of shall)
- will have to : must
- will be able to : can
- used to express a command or exhortation
- used in laws, regulations, or directives to express what is mandatory
- it shall be unlawful to carry firearms
- used to express what is inevitable or seems likely to happen in the future
- we shall have to be ready
- used to express simple futurity
- used to express determination
- will go
- he to England shall along with you -- Shak.
sham ['sham] -n
- a trick that deludes : hoax
- feared that the deal was a sham
- cheap falseness : hypocrisy
- saw through the hollowness, the sham, the silliness of the empty pageant -- Oscar Wilde
- an ornamental covering for a pillow
- an imitation or counterfeit purporting to be genuine
- a person who shams
- not genuine : false, feigned
- having such poor quality as to seem false
- to go through the external motions necessary to counterfeit
- to act intentionally so as to give a false impression : feign
sha·man ['shä-mən, 'shā- also shə-'män] -n, adj
- a priest or priestess who uses magic for the purpose of curing the sick, divining the hidden, and controlling events
- one who resembles a shaman
- high priest
sha·man·ism [-,ni-zəm] -n, adj
- a religion practiced by indigenous peoples of far northern Europe and Siberia that is characterized by belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and ancestral spirits responsive only to the shamans
- any similar religion
sham·ble ['sham-bəl] -vi, n
- to walk awkwardly with dragging feet : shuffle
sham·bles ['sham-bəlz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a meat market
- slaughterhouse
- a place of mass slaughter or bloodshed
- the battlefield became a shambles
- a scene or a state of great destruction : wreckage
- the city was a shambles after the bombing
- a scene or a state of great disorder or confusion
- great confusion : mess
shambling -adj
- characterized by slow awkward movement
sham·bol·ic [sham-'bä-lik] -adj
- obviously disorganized or confused
shame ['shām] -n
- a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety
- the susceptibility to such emotion
- a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute : ignominy
- the shame of being arrested
- something that brings censure or reproach
- something to be regretted : pity
- it's a shame you can't go
- a cause of feeling shame
- to bring shame to : disgrace
- to put to shame by outdoing
- to cause to feel shame
- to force by causing to feel guilty
shame·faced ['shām-,fāst] -adj, adv, n
- showing modesty : bashful
- showing shame : ashamed
shame·fast ['shām-,fast] -adj
- shamefaced
shame·ful ['shām-fəl] -adj, adv, n
- bringing shame : disgraceful
- arousing the feeling of shame
- full of the feeling of shame : ashamed
shame·less ['shām-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- having no shame : insensible to disgrace
- showing lack of shame
- the shameless exploitation of the natives
shamisen ['sa-mə-,sen] -n
(variant of samisen)
- a 3-stringed Japanese musical instrument resembling a banjo
sham·mes ['shä-məs] -n
- the sexton of a synagogue
- the candle or taper used to light the other candles in a Hanukkah menorah
shammy ['sha-mē, sense 1 also sham-'wä] -n
(variant of chamois)
- a small goatlike bovid ( Rupicapra rupicapra) of mountainous regions from southern Europe to the Caucasus
- a soft pliant leather prepared from the skin of the chamois or from sheepskin
- a cotton fabric made in imitation of chamois leather
sham·poo [sham-'pü] -vt, n
- massage
- to wash (as the hair) with soap and water or with a special preparation
- to wash the hair of
shampoo -n
- an act or instance of shampooing
- a preparation used in shampooing
sham·rock ['sham-,räk] -n
- : a trifoliolate plant used as a floral emblem by the Irish: as
- a yellow-flowered Old World clover ( Trifolium dubium) often regarded as the true shamrock
- wood sorrel
- white clover
sha·mus ['shä-məs, 'shā-] -n
- police officer
- private investigator
Shan ['shän, 'shan] -n
- a member of a people living primarily in Myanmar and southern China
- the Thai language of the Shan
shan·dy ['shan-dē] -n
- shandygaff
- a drink consisting of beer and lemonade
shan·dy·gaff ['shan-dē-,gaf] -n
- beer diluted with a nonalcoholic drink (as ginger beer)
Shang ['shäŋ] -n
- a Chinese dynasty traditionally dated 17661122 b.c.and known esp. for bronze work
shang·hai ['shaŋ-,hī, shaŋ-'hī] -vt, n
- to put aboard a ship by force often with the help of liquor or a drug
- to put by force or threat of force into or as if into a place of detention
- to put by trickery into an undesirable position
Shan·grila [,shaŋ-gri-'lä] -n
- a remote beautiful imaginary place where life approaches perfection : utopia
- a remote usu. idyllic hideaway
shank ['shaŋk] -n, adj
- the part of the leg between the knee and the ankle in humans or the corresponding part in various other vertebrates
- leg
- a cut of beef, veal, mutton, or lamb from the upper or the lower part of the leg : shin
- : a straight narrow usu. essential part of an object: as
- the straight part of a nail or pin
- a straight part of a plant : stem, stalk
- the part of an anchor between the ring and the crown
- the part of a fishhook between the eye and the bend
- the part of a key between the handle and the bit
- the stem of a tobacco pipe or the part between the stem and the bowl
- tang
- the narrow part of the sole of a shoe beneath the instep
- shankpiece
- : a part of an object by which it can be attached: as
- a projection on the back of a solid button
- a short stem of thread that holds a sewn button away from the cloth
- the end (as of a drill bit) that is gripped in a chuck
- the latter part of a period of time
- the early or main part of a period of time
- 11 p.m. on the East coast is merely the shank of the evening on the West coast
- an often homemade knife
- to hit (a golf ball or shot) with the extreme heel of the club so that the ball goes off in an unintended direction
- to kick (a football) in an unintended direction
shank·piece ['shaŋk-,pēs] -n
- a support for the arch of the foot inserted in the shank of a shoe
shank's mare -n
- one's own legs
- traveling by shank's mare
shan't ['shant, 'shänt]
- shall not
shan·tung [(,)shan-'təŋ] -n
- a fabric in plain weave having a slightly irregular surface due to uneven slubbed filling yarns
shanty ['shan-tē, 'chan-] -n
(variant of chantey)
- a song sung by sailors in rhythm with their work
shan·ty·man [-mən, -,man] -n
- logger
shan·ty·town [-,tau̇n] -n
- a usu. poor town or section of a town consisting mostly of shanties
shap·able ['shā-pə-bəl] -adj
- capable of being shaped
- shapely
shape ['shāp] -vb, n
- form, create
- to give a particular form or shape to
- ordain, decree
- to adapt in shape so as to fit neatly and closely
- a dress shaped to her figure
- devise, plan
- to embody in definite form
- shaping a folktale into an epic
- to make fit for (as a particular use or purpose) : adapt
- shape the questions to fit the answers
- to determine or direct the course or character of
- events that shaped history
- to modify (behavior) by rewarding changes that tend toward a desired response
- to come to pass : happen
- it's shaping up that I am known now for my husbands -- Leslie Marmon Silko
- to take on or approach a mature or definite form often used with up
- the summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record
- the visible makeup characteristic of a particular item or kind of item
- a cake in the shape of a Christmas tree
- spatial form or contour
- the clouds kept changing shape
- a standard or universally recognized spatial form
- a stain in the shape of a perfect circle
- the appearance of the body as distinguished from that of the face : figure
- phantom, apparition
- eerie shape s floating in the mist
- assumed appearance : guise
- a trick-or-treater in the shape of a pumpkin
- form of embodiment
- our plans are taking shape
- a mode of existence or form of being having identifying features
- a molded dessert
- blancmange
- the condition in which someone or something exists at a particular time
- the car was in fine shape
shaped charge -n
- an explosive charge the energy of which is focused in one direction so that it usu. achieves an armor-penetrating effect
shape·less ['shā-pləs] -adj, adv, n
- having no definite shape
- deprived of usual or normal shape : misshapen
- not shapely
shape·ly ['shā-plē] -adj, n
- having a regular or pleasing shape
- orderly and consistent in arrangement or plan
shap·en ['shā-pən] -adj
- fashioned in or provided with a definite shape usu. used in combination
shape note -n
- one of a system of seven notes showing the musical scale degree by the shape of the note head
shapeshift·er ['shāp-,shif-tər] -n, vi
- one that seems able to change form or identity at will
- a mythical figure that can assume different forms (as of animals)
shapeup ['shāp-,əp] -n
- a system of hiring workers and esp. longshoremen by the day or shift by having applicants gather for each day's selection
- an instance of such hiring practice
shape up -vi
- to improve to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior
- to bring to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior
shard ['shärd] -n
- a piece or fragment of a brittle substance
- a small piece or part : scrap
- little shard s of time and space recorded by the camera's lens -- Rosalind Krauss
- shell, scale
- elytron
- fragments of pottery vessels found on sites and in refuse deposits where pottery-making peoples have lived
- highly angular curved glass fragments of tuffaceous sediments
share ['sher] -n
- plowshare
- a portion belonging to, due to, or contributed by an individual or group
- one's full or fair portion
- has had his share of bad luck
- the part allotted or belonging to one of a number owning together property or interest
- any of the equal portions into which property or invested capital is divided
- any of the equal interests or rights into which the entire stock of a corporation is divided and ownership of which is regularly evidenced by one or more certificates
- stock
- to divide and distribute in shares : apportion usu. used with out
- shared out the land among his heirs
- to partake of, use, experience, occupy, or enjoy with others
- to have in common
- they share a passion for opera
- to grant or give a share in often used with with
- shared the last of her water with us
- to tell (as thoughts, feelings, or experiences) to others often used with with
- to have a share used with in
- we all shared in the fruits of our labor
- to apportion and take shares of something
- to talk about one's thoughts, feelings, or experiences with others
share·able ['sher-ə-bəl] -adj, n
- capable of being shared
share·crop ['sher-,kräp] -vb
- to farm as a sharecropper
- to farm (land) or produce (a crop) as a sharecropper
share·crop·per [-,krä-pər] -n
- a tenant farmer esp. in the southern U.S. who is provided with credit for seed, tools, living quarters, and food, who works the land, and who receives an agreed share of the value of the crop minus charges
share·hold·er [-,hōl-dər] -n
- one that holds or owns a share in property
- stockholder
share·ware [-,wer] -n
- software with usu. limited capability or incomplete documentation which is available for trial use at little or no cost but which can be upgraded upon payment of a fee to the author
sha·ria [shə-'rē-ə] -n
- Islamic law based on the Koran
sha·rif [shə-'rēf] -n, adj
- a descendant of the prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima
- one of noble ancestry or political preeminence in predominantly Islamic countries
shark ['shärk] -n, adj
- any of numerous mostly marine cartilaginous fishes of medium to large size that have a fusiform body, lateral branchial clefts, and a tough usu. dull gray skin roughened by minute tubercles and are typically active predators sometimes dangerous to humans
- a rapacious crafty person who takes advantage of others often through usury, extortion, or devious means
- one who excels greatly esp. in a particular field
- to gather hastily
- to obtain by some irregular means
- to practice fraud or trickery
- sneak
shark repellent -n
- any of various measures that a company uses to fend off unwanted takeover attempts
shark·skin ['shärk-,skin] -n
- the hide of a shark or leather made from it
- a smooth durable woolen or worsted suiting in twill or basket weave with small woven designs
- a smooth crisp fabric with a dull finish made usu. of rayon in basket weave
shark sucker -n
- remora
sharp ['shärp] -adj, adv, n
- : adapted to cutting or piercing: as
- having a thin keen edge or fine point
- briskly or bitingly cold : nipping
- keen in intellect : quick-witted
- keen in perception : acute
- keen in attention : vigilant
- keen in attention to one's own interest sometimes to the point of being unethical
- corrupt, unethical
- : keen in spirit or action: as
- full of activity or energy : brisk
- capable of acting or reacting strongly
- caustic
- : severe, harsh: as
- inclined to or marked by irritability or anger
- causing intense mental or physical distress
- cutting in language or import
- : affecting the senses or sense organs intensely: as
- having a strong odor or flavor
- acrid
- having a strong piercing sound
- having the effect of or involving a sudden brilliant display of light
- terminating in a point or edge
- involving an abrupt or marked change esp. in direction
- clear in outline or detail : distinct
- set forth with clarity and distinctness
- raised a half step in pitch
- higher than the proper pitch
- major, augmented used of an interval in music
- stylish, dressy
- in a sharp manner
- exactly
- : one that is sharp: as
- a sharp edge or point
- a musical note or tone one half step higher than a note or tone named
- a character on a line or space of the musical staff indicating a pitch a half step higher than the degree would indicate without it
- a needle with a small eye for sewing by hand
- a real or self-proclaimed expert
- sharper
- to raise (as a musical tone) in pitch
- to raise in pitch by a half step
- to sing or play above the proper pitch
sharpei [,shä-'pā, ,shär-] -n
- any of an ancient breed of dogs originating in China that have loose wrinkled skin esp. when young, a short bristly coat, blue-black tongue, and wide blunt muzzle
sharp·en ['shär-pən] -vb, n
- to make sharp or sharper
- hone
- to become sharp or sharper
sharp·er ['shär-pər] -n
- cheat, swindler
- a cheating gambler
sharpeyed ['shärp-'īd] -adj
- having keen sight
- keen in observing or penetrating
sharp·ie ['shär-pē] -n
- a long narrow shallow-draft boat with flat or slightly V-shaped bottom and one or two masts each carrying a triangular sail
- sharper
- an exceptionally keen or alert person
sharpnosed ['shärp-'nōzd] -adj
- keen in smelling
- having a pointed nose or snout
sharp practice -n
- the act of dealing in which advantage is taken or sought unscrupulously
sharpset ['shärp-'set] -adj
- eager in appetite or desire
sharpshinned hawk ['shärp-'shind-] -n
- a common widely distributed American accipiter ( Accipiter striatus) that is grayish above, has a chestnut breast, short rounded wings, and a tail with a notched or square tip when folded called also sharp-shin
sharp·shoot·er ['shärp-,shü-tər] -n
- a proficient marksman
- a consistently accurate shooter (as in basketball)
sharp·shoot·ing [-,shü-tiŋ] -n
- shooting with great precision
- accurate and usu. unexpected attack (as in words)
sharpsight·ed [-'sī-təd] -adj, adv, n
- having acute sight
- mentally keen or alert
sharptongued [-'təŋd] -adj
- having a sharp tongue : harsh or bitter in speech or language
sharpwit·ted [-'wi-təd] -adj
- having an acute mind
shash·lik [shäsh-'lik, 'shäsh-lik] -n
- kebab
Shas·ta daisy ['shas-tə-] -n
- a large-flowered hybrid garden daisy ( Chrysanthemumx superbumsyn. Leucanthemumx superbum) that resembles the oxeye daisy
shat ['shit, interjectionally also 'shē-ət] -n, adj
(variant of shit)
- feces
- an act of defecation
- nonsense, crap
- any of several intoxicating or narcotic drugs
- heroin
- damn
- a worthless, offensive, or detestable person
- used as an interjection
- used as an intensive usu. with the
- defecate
- to defecate in
- to attempt to deceive : bullshit
shat·ter ['sha-tər] -vb, adv
- to cause to drop or be dispersed
- to break at once into pieces
- to damage badly : ruin
- to cause the disruption or annihilation of : demolish
- to break apart : disintegrate
- to drop off parts (as leaves, petals, or fruit)
shatter -n
- fragment, shred usu. used in pl.
- the broken vase lay in shatter s
- an act of shattering : the state of being shattered
- a result of shattering : shower
shatter cone -n
- a conical fragment of rock that has striations radiating from the apex and that is formed by high pressure (as from volcanism or meteorite impact)
shat·ter·proof ['sha-tər-,prüf] -adj
- proof against shattering
shave ['shāv] -vb
- to remove a thin layer from
- to cut off in thin layers or shreds : slice
- to cut off closely
- to sever the hair from (the head or another part of the body) close to the roots
- to cut off (hair or beard) close to the skin
- to discount (a note) at an exorbitant rate
- deduct, reduce
- to conspire to score fewer (points) than one is capable of (as to affect gambling outcomes)
- to come close to or touch lightly in passing
- to cut off hair or beard close to the skin
- to proceed with difficulty : scrape
- shaver
- a thin slice : shaving
- an act or the process of shaving
shave·ling ['shāv-liŋ] -n
- a tonsured clergyman : priest
- youth, stripling
shav·er ['shā-vər] -n
- a person who shaves
- one who swindles
- a tool or machine for shaving
- an electric razor
- boy, youngster
shaves ['shaft] -n
(variant of shaft)
- the long handle of a spear or similar weapon
- spear, lance
- pole
- either of two long pieces of wood between which a horse is hitched to a vehicle
- an arrow esp. for a longbow
- the body or stem of an arrow extending from the nock to the head
- a sharply delineated beam of light shining through an opening
- : something suggestive of the shaft of a spear or arrow esp. in long slender cylindrical form: as
- the trunk of a tree
- the cylindrical pillar between the capital and the base
- the handle of a tool or instrument (as a golf club)
- a commonly cylindrical bar used to support rotating pieces or to transmit power or motion by rotation
- the stem or central axis of a feather
- the upright member of a cross esp. below the arms
- the cylindrical part of a long bone between the enlarged ends
- a small architectural column (as at each side of a doorway)
- a column, obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument
- a vertical or inclined opening of uniform and limited cross section made for finding or mining ore, raising water, or ventilating underground workings (as in a cave)
- the part of a hair that is visible above the surface of the skin
- a vertical opening or passage through the floors of a building
- a projectile thrown like a spear or shot like an arrow
- a scornful, satirical, or pithily critical remark or attack
- harsh or unfair treatment usu. used with the
- to fit with a shaft
- to treat unfairly or harshly
shave·tail ['shāv-,tāl] -n
- a pack mule esp. when newly broken in
- second lieutenant
Sha·vi·an ['shā-vē-ən] -n, adj
- an admirer or devotee of G. B. Shaw, his writings, or his social and political theories
shav·ie ['shā-vē] -n
- prank
shaving -n
- the act of one that shaves
- something shaved off
shaw ['shȯ] -n
- coppice, thicket
- the tops and stalks of a cultivated crop (as potatoes or turnips)
sha·war·ma [shä-'wȯr-mə, 'shwȯr-mə] -n
- a sandwich esp. of sliced lamb or chicken, vegetables, and often tahini wrapped in pita bread
shawl ['shȯl] -n
- a square or oblong usu. fabric garment or wrapper used esp. as a covering for the head or shoulders
- to wrap in or as if in a shawl
shawl collar -n
- a turned-over collar of a garment that combines with lapels forming an unbroken curving line
shawm ['shȯm] -n
- an early double-reed woodwind instrument
Shaw·nee [shȯ-'nē, shä-] -n
- a member of an American Indian people orig. of the central Ohio valley
- the Algonquian language of the Shawnee people
Shaw·wal [shə-'wäl] -n
- the 10th month of the Islamic year
shay ['shā] -n
- chaise
shd -abbr
- should
she ['shē] -pron
- that female one who is neither speaker nor hearer
- used to refer to one regarded as feminine (as by personification)
- used as an alternative to he to refer to a person of unspecified gender
- allow anyone to do whatever she wants -- D. J. Callahan
- a female person or animal often used in combination
shea butter ['shē-, 'shā-] -n
- a pale solid fat from the seeds of the shea tree used in food, soap, and candles
sheaf ['shēf] -n, adj
- a quantity of the stalks and ears of a cereal grass or sometimes other plant material bound together
- something resembling a sheaf of grain
- a large amount or number
shea nut -n
- the seed of the shea tree
shear ['shir] -vb, n
- to cut off the hair from
- to cut or clip (as hair or wool) from someone or something
- to cut something from
- to reap with a sickle
- to cut or trim with shears or a similar instrument
- to cut with something sharp
- to deprive of something as if by cutting
- lives shorn of any hope -- M. W. Browne
- to subject to a shear force
- to cause (as a rock mass) to move along the plane of contact
- to cut through something with or as if with a sharp instrument
- to reap crops with a sickle
- to become divided under the action of a shear
- a cutting implement similar or identical to a pair of scissors but typically larger usu. used in pl.
- one blade of a pair of shears
- any of various cutting tools or machines operating by the action of opposed cutting edges of metal usu. used in pl.
- something resembling a shear or a pair of shears
- a hoisting apparatus consisting of two or sometimes more upright spars fastened together at their upper ends and having tackle for masting or dismasting ships or lifting heavy loads (as guns) usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
- the action or process or an instance of shearing used in combination to indicate the approximate age of sheep in terms of shearings undergone
- internal force tangential to the section on which it acts called also shearing force
- an action or stress resulting from applied forces that causes or tends to cause two contiguous parts of a body to slide relatively to each other in a direction parallel to their plane of contact
sheared -adj
- formed or finished by shearing
- cut to uniform length
shear·ling ['shir-liŋ] -n
- skin from a recently sheared sheep or lamb that has been tanned and dressed with the wool left on
shear pin -n
- an easily replaceable pin inserted at a critical point in a machine and designed to break when stressed to excess
shear·wa·ter ['shir-,wȯ-tər, -,wä-] -n
- any of numerous oceanic birds (esp. genus Puffinus) that are related to the petrels and usu. skim close to the waves in flight
sheath ['shēth] -n
- a case for a blade (as of a knife)
- : an investing cover or case of a plant or animal body or body part: as
- the tubular fold of skin into which the penis of many mammals is retracted
- the lower part of a leaf (as of a grass) when surrounding the stem
- an ensheathing spathe
- : any of various covering or supporting structures that are applied like or resemble in appearance or function the sheath of a blade: as
- sheathing
- a woman's close-fitting dress that is usu. worn without a belt
- condom
sheath·bill ['shēth-,bil] -n
- either of two white shorebirds ( Chionis albaand C. minorof the family Chionididae) of colder parts of the southern hemisphere that have a horny sheath over the base of the upper mandible and suggest the pigeons in general appearance
sheathe ['shēth] -vt, n
- to put into or furnish with a sheath
- to plunge or bury (as a sword) in flesh
- to withdraw (a claw) into a sheath
- to case or cover with something (as sheets of metal) that protects
sheath·ing ['shē-thiŋ, -thiŋ] -n
- the action of one that sheathes something
- material used to sheathe something
- the first covering of boards or of waterproof material on the outside wall of a frame house or on a timber roof
sheath knife -n
- a knife having a fixed blade and designed to be carried in a sheath
shea tree ['shē-, 'shā-] -n
- a tropical African tree ( Vitellaria paradoxasyn. Butyrospermum parkii) of the sapodilla family with fatty nuts that yield shea butter
sheave ['shiv, 'shēv] -n
- a grooved wheel or pulley (as of a pulley block)
- to gather and bind into a sheaf
she·bang [shi-'baŋ] -n
- everything involved in what is under consideration usu. used in the phrase the whole shebang
She·bat [shə-'bät, -'vät] -n
- the 5th month of the civil year or the 11th month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar
she·been [shə-'bēn] -n
- an unlicensed or illegally operated drinking establishment
She·chi·nah [shə-'k̲ē-nə, -'kē-nə, -'kī-nə] -n
- the presence of God in the world as conceived in Jewish theology
shecrab ['shē-'krab] -n
- an immature female blue crab
shed ['shed] -vb
- to set apart : segregate
- to cause to be dispersed without penetrating
- duck's plumage shed s water
- to cause (blood) to flow by cutting or wounding
- to pour forth in drops
- to give off or out
- shed s some light on the subject
- : to give off, discharge, or expel from the body of a plant or animal: as
- to eject, slough off, or lose as part of the normal processes of life
- a caterpillar shedding its skin
- a deciduous tree shed s its leaves in the fall
- to discharge usu. gradually esp. as part of a pathological process
- shed a virus in the feces
- to rid oneself of temporarily or permanently as superfluous or unwanted
- the company shed 100 jobs
- to pour out : spill
- to become dispersed : scatter
- to cast off some natural covering (as fur or skin)
- distinction, difference
- something (as the skin of a snake) that is discarded in shedding
- a divide of land
- a slight structure built for shelter or storage
- a single-storied building with one or more sides unenclosed
- a building that resembles a shed
- hut
- to put or house in a shed
she'd ['shēd]
- she had : she would
shed·der ['she-dər] -n
- : one that sheds something: as
- a crab or lobster about to molt
- a newly molted crab
shed dormer -n
- a dormer with a roof sloping in the same direction as the roof from which the dormer projects
sheen ['shēn] -adj
- beautiful
- shining, resplendent
- to be bright : show a sheen
- a bright or shining condition : brightness
- a subdued glitter approaching but short of optical reflection
- a lustrous surface imparted to textiles through finishing processes or use of shiny yarns
- a textile exhibiting notable sheen
sheep ['shēp] -n
- any of various hollow-horned typically gregarious ruminant mammals (genus Ovis) related to the goats but stockier and lacking a beard in the male
- one ( O. aries) long domesticated esp. for its flesh and wool
- a timid defenseless creature
- a timid docile person
- one easily influenced or led
- leather prepared from the skins of sheep : sheepskin
sheep·cote [-,kōt, -,kät] -n
- sheepfold
sheep·dog [-,dȯg] -n
- a dog (as a border collie) used to tend, drive, or guard sheep
sheep fescue -n
- a hardy fine-foliaged fescue ( Festuca ovina) widely used as a pasture grass called also sheep's fescue
sheep·fold ['shēp-,fōld] -n
- a pen or shelter for sheep
sheep·herd·er ['shēp-,hər-dər] -n
- a worker in charge of sheep esp. on open range
sheep·herd·ing [-,hər-diŋ] -n
- the activities of a worker engaged in tending sheep
sheep·ish ['shē-pish] -adj, adv, n
- resembling a sheep in meekness, stupidity, or timidity
- affected by or showing embarrassment caused by consciousness of a fault
sheep ked ['shēp-,ked] -n
- a wingless bloodsucking dipteran fly ( Melophagus ovinus) that feeds chiefly on sheep and is a vector of sheep trypanosomiasis called also sheep tick
sheep laurel -n
- a dwarf shrub ( Kalmia angustifolia) of the heath family that is native to northeastern No. America and is poisonous to livestock and that resembles mountain laurel but has narrower leaves and smaller bright red flowers called also lambkill
sheep's eye -n
- a shy longing usu. amorous glance usu. used in pl.
sheep·shank ['shēp-,shaŋk] -n
- a knot for shortening a line
- something of no worth or importance
sheeps·head ['shēps-,hed] -n
- a marine bony fish ( Archosargus probatocephalusof the family Sparidae) of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S. that has broad front teeth and is used for food
- freshwater drum
- a largely red or rose-colored wrasse ( Semicossyphus pulcher) of the California coast
sheep·shear·er ['shēp-,shir-ər] -n
- one that shears sheep
sheep·shear·ing ['shēp-,shir-iŋ] -n
- the act of shearing sheep
- the time or season for shearing sheep
sheep·skin [-,skin] -n
- the skin of a sheep
- leather prepared from it
- parchment
- a garment made of or lined with sheepskin
- diploma
sheep sorrel -n
- a small dock ( Rumex acetosella) of acidic soils
sheep walk -n
- a pasture or range for sheep
sheer ['shir] -vb
- to deviate from a course : swerve
- to cause to sheer
- a turn, deviation, or change in a course (as of a ship)
- the position of a ship riding to a single anchor and heading toward it
- bright, shining
- of very thin or transparent texture : diaphanous
- unqualified, utter
- being free from an adulterant : pure, unmixed
- viewed or acting in dissociation from all else
- in terms of sheer numbers
- marked by great and continuous steepness
- in a complete manner : altogether
- straight up or down without a break : perpendicularly
- a sheer fabric
- an article of such a fabric
- the fore-and-aft curvature from bow to stern of a ship's deck as shown in side elevation
sheer·legs ['shir-,legz, -,lāgz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- shear
sheesh ['shēsh] -interj
- used to express disappointment, annoyance, or surprise
sheet ['shēt] -n, adj
- a broad piece of cloth
- bedsheet
- sail
- a usu. rectangular piece of paper
- one manufactured for printing
- a rectangular piece of heavy paper with a plant specimen mounted on it
- an herbarium of 100,000 sheet s
- a printed signature for a book esp. before it has been folded, cut, or bound usu. used in pl.
- a newspaper, periodical, or occasional publication
- the unseparated postage stamps printed by one impression of a plate on a single piece of paper
- a pane of stamps
- a broad stretch or surface of something
- a suspended or moving expanse (as of fire or rain)
- a portion of something that is thin in comparison to its length and breadth
- a flat baking pan of tinned metal
- a surface or part of a surface in which it is possible to pass from any one point of it to any other without leaving the surface
- a hyperboloid of two sheet s
- rolled or spread out in a sheet
- of, relating to, or concerned with the making of sheet metal
- to cover with a sheet
- floors sheet ed with dust
- to furnish with sheets
- to form into sheets
- to fall, spread, or flow in a sheet
- the rain sheet ed against the windows
- a rope or chain that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind
- the spaces at either end of an open boat not occupied by thwarts : foresheets and stern sheets together
- to move or set (a sail) by manipulation of a sheet
sheet anchor -n
- a large strong anchor formerly carried in the waist of a ship and used as a spare in an emergency
- something that constitutes a main support or dependence esp. in danger
sheet bend -n
- a bend or hitch used for temporarily fastening a rope to the bight of another rope or to an eye
sheet·fed ['shēt-,fed] -adj
- of, relating to, being, or printed by a press that prints on paper in sheet form
sheet glass -n
- glass made in large sheets directly from the furnace or by making a cylinder and then flattening it
sheet·ing ['shē-tiŋ] -n
- : material in the form of sheets or suitable for forming into sheets: as
- a sturdy plain-woven cloth usu. of cotton used esp. for bedsheets
- material (as a plastic) in the form of a continuous film
- a lining (as wood or steel) used to support an embankment or the walls of an excavation
sheet lightning -n
- lightning in diffused or sheet form due to reflection and diffusion by the clouds and sky
sheet metal -n
- metal in the form of a sheet
sheet music -n
- music printed on large unbound sheets of paper
Sheet·rock ['shēt-,räk] -trademark
- used for drywall
sheikh ['shēk, also 'shāk for 1] -n
- an Arab chief
- a man held to be irresistibly attractive to romantic young women
sheikh·dom [-dəm, -təm] -n
- a region under the rule of a sheikh
shei·la ['shē-lə] -n
- a girl or young woman
shek·el ['she-kəl] -n
- any of various ancient units of weight
- a Hebrew unit equal to about 252 grains troy
- a unit of value based on a shekel weight of gold or silver
- a coin weighing one shekel
- money
shel·drake ['shel-,drāk] -n
- shelduck
- merganser
shel·duck [-,dək] -n
- any of various Old World ducks (genus Tadorna)
- a common mostly black-and-white duck ( T. tadorna) slightly larger than the mallard
shelf ['shelf] -n, adj
- a thin flat usu. long and narrow piece of material (as wood) fastened horizontally (as on a wall) at a distance from the floor to hold objects
- one of several similar pieces in a closet, bookcase, or similar structure
- the contents of a shelf
- the author of a shelf of best sellers
- : something resembling a shelf in form or position: as
- a sandbank or ledge of rocks usu. partially submerged
- a flat projecting layer of rock
- the submerged gradually sloping border of a continent or island : continental shelf
shelf fungus -n
- bracket fungus
shelf ice -n
- an extensive ice sheet originating on land but continuing out to sea beyond the depths at which it rests on the sea bottom
shelf life -n
- the period of time during which a material may be stored and remain suitable for use
- the period of time during which something lasts or remains popular
shell ['shel] -n, adj
- a hard rigid usu. largely calcareous covering or support of an animal
- the hard or tough often thin outer covering of an egg (as of a bird or reptile)
- the covering or outside part of a fruit or seed esp. when hard or fibrous
- shell material (as of mollusks or turtles) or their substance
- : something that resembles a shell: as
- a framework or exterior structure
- a building with an unfinished interior
- an external case or outside covering
- a thin usu. spherical layer or surface enclosing a space or surrounding an object
- an expanding shell of gas around a neutron star
- a casing without substance
- mere effigies and shell s of men -- Thomas Carlyle
- an edible crust for holding a filling
- a taco salad in a tortilla shell
- band shell
- a small beer glass
- an unlined article of outerwear
- a shell-bearing mollusk
- an impersonal attitude or manner that conceals the presence or absence of feeling
- he retreated into his shell
- a narrow light racing boat propelled by one or more persons pulling oars or sculls
- any of the regions occupied by the orbits of a group of electrons of approximately equal energy surrounding the nucleus of an atom
- a projectile for cannon containing an explosive bursting charge
- a metal or paper case which holds the charge of powder and shot or bullet used with breech-loading small arms
- a plain usu. sleeveless blouse or sweater
- a company or corporation that exists without assets or independent operations as a legal entity through which another company or corporation can conduct various dealings
- to take out of a natural enclosing cover (as a shell, husk, pod, or capsule)
- to separate the kernels of (as an ear of Indian corn, wheat, or oats) from the cob, ear, or husk
- to throw shells at, upon, or into : bombard
- to score heavily against (as an opposing pitcher in baseball)
- to fall or scale off in thin pieces
- to cast the shell or exterior covering : fall out of the pod or husk
- nuts which shell in falling
- to gather shells (as from a beach)
she'll ['shēl, 'shil]
- she will : she shall
shel·lac [shə-'lak] -n
- purified lac usu. prepared in thin orange or yellow flakes by heating and filtering and often bleached white
- a preparation of lac dissolved usu. in alcohol and used chiefly as a wood filler and finish
- a composition containing shellac formerly used for making phonograph records
- an old 78 rpm phonograph record
shellac -vt
- to coat or otherwise treat with shellac or a shellac varnish
- to defeat decisively
shellacking -n
- a decisive defeat : drubbing
shell·back ['shel-,bak] -n
- an old or veteran sailor
- a person who has crossed the equator and been initiated in the traditional ceremony
shell bean -n
- a bean grown primarily for its edible seeds
- the edible seed of a bean
shell·crack·er ['shel-,kra-kər] -n
- redear
shelled ['sheld] -adj
- having a shell esp. of a specified kind often used in combination
- having the shell removed
- removed from the cob
shell·er ['she-lər] -n
- one that shells
- a person who collects seashells
shell·fish [-,fish] -n
- an aquatic invertebrate animal with a shell
- an edible mollusk or crustacean
shell·fish·ery [-,fi-shə-rē, -,fish-rē] -n
- a commercially exploited population of shellfish
shell game -n
- thimblerig played esp. with three walnut shells
- fraud
- a swindle involving the substitution of something of little or no value for a valuable item
shell jacket -n
- a short tight military jacket worn buttoned up the front
- mess jacket
shell out -vb
- pay
shell pink -n
- a light yellowish pink
shell·proof ['shel-,prüf] -adj
- capable of resisting shells or bombs
shell shock -n
- combat fatigue
shellshocked -adj
- affected with combat fatigue
- mentally confused, upset, or exhausted as a result of excessive stress
shell steak -n
- the part of a short loin of beef that contains no tenderloin
shell·work ['shel-,wərk] -n
- work adorned with shells or composed of a pattern of shells
shelly ['she-lē] -adj
- abounding in or covered with shells
- of, relating to, or resembling a shell
shel·ter ['shel-tər] -n, adj
- something that covers or affords protection
- an establishment providing food and shelter (as to the homeless)
- an establishment that houses and feeds stray animals
- a position or the state of being covered and protected
shelter [-t(ə-)riŋ] -vb, n
- to constitute or provide a shelter for : protect
- has led a shelter ed life
- to place under shelter or protection
- shelter ed himself in a mountain cave
- to protect (income) from taxation
- to take shelter
shel·ter·belt ['shel-tər-,belt] -n
- a barrier of trees and shrubs that protects (as crops) from wind and storm and lessens erosion
shelter half -n
- one of the halves of a shelter tent
shelter tent -n
- a small tent usu. consisting of two interchangeable pieces : pup tent
shel·tie ['shel-tē] -n
- shetland pony
- shetland sheepdog
shelve ['shelv] -vb, n
- to furnish with shelves
- to place on a shelf
- to remove from active service
- to put off or aside
- to slope in a formation like a shelf
shelving -n
- a sloping surface or place
- the state or degree of sloping
- material for shelves
- shelves
Shem ['shem] -n
- the eldest son of Noah held to be the progenitor of the Semitic peoples
She·ma [shə-'mä] -n
- the Jewish confession of faith made up of Deut 6:49 and 11:1321 and Num 15:3741
She·mi·ni Atze·reth [shə-'mē-nē-ät-'ser-ət, -əth, -əs] -n
- a Jewish festival following the seventh day of Sukkoth and marked by a special prayer for seasonal rain
Shem·ite ['she-,mīt] -n, adj
- semite
she·nan·i·gan [shə-'na-ni-gən] -n
- a devious trick used esp. for an underhand purpose
- tricky or questionable practices or conduct usu. used in pl.
- high-spirited or mischievous activity usu. used in pl.
shend ['shend] -vt
- to put to shame or confusion
- reprove, revile
- injure, mar
- ruin, destroy
sheoak ['shē-,ōk] -n
- any of various casuarinas
She·ol [shē-'ōl, 'shē-,] -n
- the abode of the dead in early Hebrew thought
shep·herd ['she-pərd] -n
- a person who tends sheep
- pastor
- german shepherd
shepherd -vt
- to tend as a shepherd
- to guide or guard in the manner of a shepherd
- shepherd ed the bill through Congress
shepherd dog -n
- sheepdog
shep·herd·ess ['she-pər-dəs] -n
- a woman or girl who tends sheep
- a rural girl or woman
shepherd's check -n
- a pattern of small even black-and-white checks
- a fabric woven in this pattern called also shepherd's plaid
shepherd's pie -n
- a meat pie with a mashed potato crust
shepherd's purse -n
- a white-flowered weedy annual herb ( Capsella bursa-pastoris) of the mustard family with flat heart-shaped pods
sheqel ['she-kəl] -n
(variant of shekel)
- any of various ancient units of weight
- a Hebrew unit equal to about 252 grains troy
- a unit of value based on a shekel weight of gold or silver
- a coin weighing one shekel
- money
Sher·a·ton ['sher-ə-tən] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a style of furniture that originated in England around 1800 and is characterized by straight lines and graceful proportions
sher·bet ['shər-bət] -n
- a cold drink of sweetened and diluted fruit juice
- an ice with milk, egg white, or gelatin added
sherd ['shärd] -n
(variant of shard)
- a piece or fragment of a brittle substance
- a small piece or part : scrap
- little shard s of time and space recorded by the camera's lens -- Rosalind Krauss
- shell, scale
- elytron
- fragments of pottery vessels found on sites and in refuse deposits where pottery-making peoples have lived
- highly angular curved glass fragments of tuffaceous sediments
sher·got·tite ['shər-gə-,tīt] -n
- any of a class of achondritic geologically young meteorites of feldspar and pyroxene
sherif [shə-'rēf] -n, adj
(variant of sharif)
- a descendant of the prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima
- one of noble ancestry or political preeminence in predominantly Islamic countries
sher·iff ['sher-əf] -n
- an important official of a shire or county charged primarily with judicial duties (as executing the processes and orders of courts and judges)
sher·lock ['shər-,läk, -lək] -n
- detective
she·ro ['shir-(,)ō] -n
- a woman regarded as a hero
Sher·pa ['sher-pə, 'shər-] -n
- a member of a Tibetan people living on the high southern slopes of the Himalayas in eastern Nepal and known for providing support for foreign trekkers and mountain climbers
sher·ris ['sher-ē] -n
(variant of sherry)
- a Spanish fortified wine with a distinctive nutty flavor
- a similar wine produced elsewhere
sher·ry ['sher-ē] -n
- a Spanish fortified wine with a distinctive nutty flavor
- a similar wine produced elsewhere
she's ['shēz]
- she is : she has
Shet·land ['shet-lənd] -n
- shetland pony
- shetland sheepdog
- a lightweight loosely twisted yarn of Shetland wool used for knitting and weaving
- a fabric or a garment made from Shetland wool
Shetland pony -n
- any of a breed of small stocky hardy ponies that originated in the Shetland Islands
Shetland sheepdog -n
- any of a breed of small heavy-coated dogs developed in the Shetland Islands that resemble miniature collies
Shetland wool -n
- fine wool from sheep raised in the Shetland Islands
- yarn spun from this
sheugh ['shük̲] -n
- ditch, trench
shew ['shō] -vb, adj
(variant of show)
- to cause or permit to be seen : exhibit
- show ed pictures of the baby
- to offer for sale
- stores were show ing new spring suits
- to present as a public spectacle : perform
- to reveal by one's condition, nature, or behavior
- show ed themselves to be cowards
- to give indication or record of
- an anemometer show s wind speed
- to point out : direct attention to
- show ed the view from the terrace
- conduct, usher
- show ed me to an aisle seat
- accord, bestow
- to set forth : declare
- allege, plead used esp. in law
- to demonstrate or establish by argument or reasoning
- inform, instruct
- show ed me how to solve the problem
- to present (an animal) for judging in a show
- to be or come in view
- 3:15 show ed on the clock
- to put in an appearance
- to appear in a particular way
- anger show ed in their faces
- seem, appear
- to give a theatrical performance
- to be staged or presented
- to appear as a contestant
- to present an animal in a show
- to finish third or at least third (as in a horse race)
- to exhibit one's artistic work
- a demonstrative display
- outward appearance
- a false semblance : pretense
- made a show of friendship
- a more or less true appearance of something : sign
- an impressive display
- his role as househusband...was purely for show -- John Lahr
- ostentation
- chance
- gave him a show in spite of his background
- something exhibited esp. for wonder or ridicule : spectacle
- a large display or exhibition arranged to arouse interest or stimulate sales
- a competitive exhibition of animals (as dogs) to demonstrate quality in breeding
- a theatrical presentation
- a radio or television program
- entertainment
- enterprise, affair
- third place at the finish (as of a horse race)
- the major leagues in baseball used with the
shew·bread ['shō-,bred] -n
- consecrated unleavened bread ritually placed by the Jewish priests of ancient Israel on a table in the sanctuary of the Tabernacle on the Sabbath
SHF -abbr
- superhigh frequency
Shia ['shē-(,)ä] -n
- the Muslims of the branch of Islam comprising sects believing in Ali and the Imams as the only rightful successors of Muhammad and in the concealment and messianic return of the last recognized Imam
- shiite
- the branch of Islam formed by the Shia
shi·at·su [shē-'ät-(,)sü] -n
- acupressure
- a form of acupressure that originated in Japan
Shi·ba Inu ['shē-bā-'ē-nü] -n
- any of a breed of small thick-coated agile dogs developed in Japan
shib·bo·leth ['shi-bə-ləth also -,leth] -n
- a word or saying used by adherents of a party, sect, or belief and usu. regarded by others as empty of real meaning
- the old shibboleth s come rolling off their lips -- Joseph Epstein
- a widely held belief
- today this book publishing shibboleth is a myth -- L. A. Wood
- truism, platitude
- some truth in the shibboleth that crime does not pay -- Lee Rogow
- a use of language regarded as distinctive of a particular group
- accent was...a shibboleth of social class -- Vivian Ducat
- a custom or usage regarded as distinguishing one group from others
- for most of the well-to-do in the town, dinner was a shibboleth, its hour dividing mankind -- Osbert Sitwell
shiel ['shēl] -n
- shieling
shield ['shēld] -n
- a broad piece of defensive armor carried on the arm
- one that protects or defends : defense
- dress shield
- a device or part that serves as a protective cover or barrier
- a protective structure (as a carapace, scale, or plate) of some animals
- escutcheon
- one that is wide at the top and rounds to a point at the bottom
- the Precambrian nuclear mass of a continent that is surrounded and sometimes covered by sedimentary rocks
- : something resembling a shield: as
- apothecium
- a police officer's badge
- a decorative or identifying emblem
- to protect with or as if with a shield : provide with a protective cover or shelter
- to cut off from observation : hide
- forbid
shield law -n
- a law that protects journalists from forced disclosure of confidential news sources
shield volcano -n
- a broad rounded volcano that is built up by successive outpourings of very fluid lava
shiel·ing ['shē-lən, -liŋ] -n
- a mountain hut used as a shelter by shepherds
- a summer pasture in the mountains
shier ['shī] -adj, adv, n
(variant of shy)
- easily frightened : timid
- disposed to avoid a person or thing
- hesitant in committing oneself : circumspect
- sensitively diffident or retiring : reserved
- expressive of such a state or nature
- secluded, hidden
- having less than the full or specified amount or number : short
- just shy of six feet tall
- disreputable
- gambling hells and shy saloons -- Blackwood's
- to develop or show a dislike or distaste usu. used with from or away from
- an author who shies away from publicity
- to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm
- a sudden start aside (as from fright)
- to make a sudden throw
- to throw (an object) with a jerk : fling
- the act of shying : toss, throw
- a verbal fling or attack
- cockshy
shiest ['shī] -adj, adv, n
(variant of shy)
- easily frightened : timid
- disposed to avoid a person or thing
- hesitant in committing oneself : circumspect
- sensitively diffident or retiring : reserved
- expressive of such a state or nature
- secluded, hidden
- having less than the full or specified amount or number : short
- just shy of six feet tall
- disreputable
- gambling hells and shy saloons -- Blackwood's
- to develop or show a dislike or distaste usu. used with from or away from
- an author who shies away from publicity
- to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm
- a sudden start aside (as from fright)
- to make a sudden throw
- to throw (an object) with a jerk : fling
- the act of shying : toss, throw
- a verbal fling or attack
- cockshy
shift ['shift] -vb, adj
- to exchange for or replace by another : change
- to change the place, position, or direction of : move
- to make a change in (place)
- to change phonetically
- to change place or position
- to change direction
- to change gears
- to depress the shift key (as on a typewriter)
- to assume responsibility
- had to shift for themselves
- to resort to expedients
- to go through a change
- she shift ed in her approach
- to change one's clothes
- to become changed phonetically
- a means or device for effecting an end
- a deceitful or underhand scheme : dodge
- an effort or expedient exerted or tried in difficult circumstances : extremity
- was put to hard shift s for a living -- Benjamin Franklin
- a change of clothes
- shirt
- a woman's slip or chemise
- a usu. loose-fitting or semifitted dress
- a change in direction
- a change in emphasis, judgment, or attitude
- a group of people who work or occupy themselves in turn with other groups
- a change of one group of people (as workers) for another in regular alternation
- a scheduled period of work or duty
- : a change in place or position: as
- a change in the position of the hand on a fingerboard (as of a violin)
- fault
- the relative displacement of rock masses on opposite sides of a fault or fault zone
- a simultaneous change of position in football by two or more players from one side of the line to the other
- a change of positions made by one or more players in baseball to provide better defense against a particular hitter
- a change in frequency resulting in a change in position of a spectral line or band
- a movement of bits in a computer register a specified number of places to the right or left
- a removal from one person or thing to another : transfer
- consonant shift
- a bid in bridge in a suit other than the suit one's partner has bid
- gearshift
shift·er ['shif-tər] -n
- one that shifts
- gearshift
shift key -n
- a key on a keyboard that when pressed enables an alternate set of characters to be produced by the other keys
shift·less ['shif(t)-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- lacking in resourcefulness : inefficient
- lacking in ambition or incentive : lazy
shifty ['shif-tē] -adj, adv, n
- full of or ready with expedients : resourceful
- given to deception, evasion, or fraud : tricky
- capable of evasive movement : elusive
- indicative of a tricky nature
shi·gel·la [shi-'ge-lə] -n
- any of a genus ( Shigella) of nonmotile rod-shaped bacteria that cause dysenteries in animals and esp. humans
- shigellosis
shig·el·lo·sis [,shi-gə-'lō-səs] -n
- dysentery caused by shigellae
shih tzu ['shēd-'zü, 'shēt-'sü] -n
- any of an old Chinese breed of toy dogs that have a square short unwrinkled muzzle, short muscular legs, and a long dense flowing coat
Shi'i [shē-'ē, 'shē-ē] -n, adj
- shiite
Shi·ism ['shē-,i-zəm] -n
- Islam as taught by the Shia
shii·ta·ke [shē-'tä-kē] -n
- a dark Asian mushroom ( Lentinus edodesof the family Agaricaceae) widely cultivated esp. on woods of the beech family for its edible flavorful tan to brown cap
Shi·ite ['shē-,īt] -n, adj
- a Muslim of the Shia branch of Islam
shi·ka·ri [shi-'kär-ē, -'ka-rē] -n
- a big game hunter
- a professional hunter or guide
shik·sa ['shik-sə] -n
- a non-Jewish girl or woman
- a Jewish girl or woman who does not observe Jewish precepts used esp. by Orthodox Jews
shill ['shil] -vi
- to act as a shill
- to act as a spokesperson or promoter
- the eminent Shakespearean producer...is now shill ing for a brokerage house -- Andy Rooney
- one who acts as a decoy (as for a pitchman or gambler)
- one who makes a sales pitch or serves as a promoter
- pitch
shil·le·lagh [shə-'lā-lē] -n
- cudgel
shil·ling ['shi-liŋ] -n
- a former monetary unit of the United Kingdom equal to 12 pence or pound
- a former monetary unit equal to pound of any of various countries in or formerly in the Commonwealth of Nations
- a coin representing one shilling
- any of several early American coins
Shil·luk [shi-'lük] -n
- a member of a Nilotic people of the Sudan dwelling mainly on the west bank of the White Nile
- the language of the Shilluk people
shillyshally ['shi-lē-,sha-lē] -adv
- in an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner
- irresolute, vacillating
- to show hesitation or lack of decisiveness or resolution
- dawdle
- indecision, irresolution
shil·pit ['shil-pət] -adj
- pinched and starved in appearance
- weak, insipid used of drink
shim ['shim] -n
- a thin often tapered piece of material (as wood, metal, or stone) used to fill in space between things (as for support, leveling, or adjustment of fit)
- to fill out or level up by the use of a shim
shim·mer ['shi-mər] -vb
- to shine with a soft tremulous or fitful light : glimmer
- to reflect a wavering sometimes distorted visual image
- to cause to shimmer
shimmer ['shi-mə-rē, 'shim-rē] -n, adj
- a light that shimmers : subdued sparkle or sheen : glimmer
- a wavering sometimes distorted visual image usu. resulting from heat-induced changes in atmospheric refraction
shim·my ['shi-mē] -n
- chemise
- a jazz dance characterized by a shaking of the body from the shoulders down
- an abnormal vibration esp. in the front wheels of a motor vehicle
shimmy -vi
- to shake, quiver, or tremble in or as if in dancing a shimmy
- to vibrate abnormally used esp. of automobiles
- shinny
shin ['shin] -n
- the front part of the vertebrate leg below the knee
- shinny
- to move forward rapidly on foot
- to kick or strike on the shins
- to climb by shinnying
- the 22d letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Shin ['shin, 'shēn] -n
- a major Japanese Buddhist sect that emphasizes salvation by faith in exclusive worship of Amida Buddha
Shi·na ['shē-nə] -n
- an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Gilgit in northern Kashmir
shin·bone ['shin-,bōn] -n
- tibia
shin·dig ['shin-,dig] -n
- a social gathering with dancing
- a usu. large or lavish party
- shindy
shin·dy ['shin-dē] -n
- shindig
- fracas, uproar
shine ['shīn] -vb
- to emit rays of light
- to be bright by reflection of light
- to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished
- to perform extremely well
- when will stocks really shine again? -- Temma Ehrenfeld
- to have a bright glowing appearance
- his face shone with enthusiasm
- to be conspicuously evident or clear
- to cause to emit light
- to throw or direct the light of
- to make bright by polishing
- brightness caused by the emission of light
- brightness caused by the reflection of light : luster
- the shine of polished silver
- brilliance, splendor
- still has a shine about her
- fair weather : sunshine
- trick, caper usu. used in pl.
- liking, fancy
- a polish or gloss given to shoes
- a single polishing of a pair of shoes
shin·er ['shī-nər] -n
- one that shines
- a silvery fish
- any of numerous small freshwater American cyprinid fishes (esp. genus Notropis)
- black eye
shin·gle ['shiŋ-gəl] -n
- a small thin piece of building material often with one end thicker than the other for laying in overlapping rows as a covering for the roof or sides of a building
- a small signboard esp. designating a professional office used chiefly in the phrase hang out one's shingle
- a woman's haircut with the hair trimmed short from the back of the head to the nape
shingle [-g(ə-)liŋ] -vt, n
- to cover with or as if with shingles
- to bob and shape (the hair) in a shingle
- to lay out or arrange so as to overlap
- coarse rounded detritus or alluvial material esp. on the seashore that differs from ordinary gravel only in the larger size of the stones
- a place strewn with shingle
shin·gles ['shiŋ-gəlz] -n pl but sing in constr
- an acute viral inflammation of the sensory ganglia of spinal and cranial nerves that is associated with a vesicular eruption and neuralgic pains and is caused by reactivation of the herpesvirus causing chicken pox called also herpes zoster zoster
Shin·gon ['shin-,gän, 'shēn-] -n
- an esoteric Japanese Buddhist sect claiming the achievement of Buddhahood in this life through prescribed rituals
shining -adj
- emitting or reflecting light
- bright and often splendid in appearance : resplendent
- possessing a distinguished quality : illustrious
- full of sunshine
shin·leaf ['shin-,lēf] -n
- any of several wintergreens (esp. Pyrola elliptica) with lustrous evergreen basal leaves and racemose white or pinkish flowers
shin·nery ['shi-nə-rē] -n
- a dense growth of small trees or an area of such growth
- one of scrub oak in the West and Southwest
shin·ny ['shi-nē] -n
- a variation of hockey played by children with a curved stick and a ball or block of wood
- the stick used
shinny -vi
- to move oneself up or down something vertical (as a pole) esp. by alternately hugging it with the arms or hands and the legs
shin·plas·ter ['shin-,plas-tər] -n
- a piece of privately issued paper currency
- one poorly secured and depreciated in value
- a piece of fractional currency
shin splints -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- injury to and inflammation of the tibial and toe extensor muscles or their fasciae caused by repeated minimal traumas (as by running)
Shin·to ['shin-(,)tō] -n, adj, n or adj
- the indigenous religion of Japan consisting chiefly in the cultic devotion to deities of natural forces and veneration of the Emperor as a descendant of the sun goddess
shiny ['shī-nē] -adj, n
- having a smooth glossy surface
- bright with the rays of the sun : sunshiny
- filled with light
- rubbed or worn smooth
- lustrous with natural secretions
ship ['ship] -n
- a large seagoing vessel
- a sailing vessel having a bowsprit and usu. three masts each composed of a lower mast, a topmast, and a topgallant mast
- boat
- one propelled by power or sail
- a ship's crew
- fortune
- when their ship comes in they'll be able to live in better style
- airship, airplane, spacecraft
- to place or receive on board a ship for transportation by water
- to cause to be transported
- shipped him off to prep school
- to provide with a ship
- to put in place for use
- to take into a ship or boat
- to engage for service on a ship
- to take (as water) over the side used of a boat or a ship
- to embark on a ship
- to go or travel by ship often used with out
- to proceed by ship or other means under military orders often used with out
- to engage to serve on shipboard
- to be sent for delivery
ship biscuit -n
- hardtack called also ship bread
ship·board ['ship-,bȯrd] -n
- the side of a ship
- ship
shipboard -adj
- existing or taking place on board a ship
ship·borne ['ship-,bȯrn] -adj
- transported or designed to be transported by ship
ship·build·er ['ship-,bil-dər] -n
- one who designs or constructs ships
ship·fit·ter ['ship-,fi-tər] -n
- one that fits together the structural members of ships and puts them into position for riveting or welding
- a naval enlisted man who works in sheet metal and performs the work of a plumber aboard ship
ship·lap [-,lap] -n
- wooden sheathing in which the boards are rabbeted so that the edges of each board lap over the edges of adjacent boards to make a flush joint
ship·load [-'lōd, -,lōd] -n
- as much or as many as will fill or load a ship
- an indefinitely large amount or number
ship·man [-mən] -n
- sailor, seaman
- shipmaster
ship·mas·ter [-,mas-tər] -n
- the master or commander of a ship other than a warship
ship·mate [-,māt] -n
- a fellow sailor
ship·ment [-mənt] -n
- the act or process of shipping
- the goods shipped
ship of state
- the affairs of a state symbolized as a ship on a course
ship of the line
- a large warship
- a square-rigged warship having at least two gun decks and designed to be positioned for battle in a line with other such ships
ship·own·er ['ship-,ō-nər] -n
- the owner of a ship
ship·per ['shi-pər] -n
- one that sends goods by any form of conveyance
shipping -n
- passage on a ship
- ships
- the body of ships in one place or belonging to one port or country
- the act or business of one that ships
shipping clerk -n
- one who is employed in a shipping room to assemble, pack, and send out or receive goods
ship·shape [,ship-'shāp, 'ship-,] -adj
- trim, tidy
ship·side ['ship-,sīd] -n
- the area adjacent to a ship
- a dock at which a ship loads or unloads passengers and freight
ship's papers -n pl
- the papers a ship is legally required to carry for due inspection to show the character of the ship and cargo
ship·way ['ship-,wā] -n
- the ways on which a ship is built
ship·worm [-,wərm] -n
- any of various marine clams (esp. family Teredinidae) that have a shell used for burrowing in submerged wood and a wormlike body and that cause damage to wharf piles and wooden ships
ship·wreck [-,rek] -n
- a wrecked ship or its parts
- the destruction or loss of a ship
- an irretrievable loss or failure
shipwreck -vt
- to cause to experience shipwreck
- ruin
- to destroy (a ship) by grounding or foundering
ship·wright ['ship-,rīt] -n
- a carpenter skilled in ship construction and repair
ship·yard [-,yärd] -n
- a yard, place, or enclosure where ships are built or repaired
Shi·raz [shi-'räz] -n
- syrah
shire ['shī(-ə)r, in place-name compounds ,shir, shər] -n
- an administrative subdivision
- a county in England
- any of an old breed of large heavy draft horses of British origin having heavily feathered legs
shire town -n
- a town that is the seat of the government of a shire
- a town where a court of superior jurisdiction (as a circuit court or a court with a jury) sits
shirk ['shərk] -vb, n
- to go stealthily : sneak
- to evade the performance of an obligation
- avoid, evade
Shir·ley poppy ['shər-lē-] -n
- a cultivated corn poppy with brightly colored usu. white, pink, or red single or double flowers
shirr ['shər] -vt
- to draw (as cloth) together in a shirring
- to bake (eggs removed from the shell) until set
shirr·ing ['shər-iŋ] -n
- a decorative gathering (as of cloth) made by drawing up the material along two or more parallel lines of stitching
shirt ['shərt] -n, adj
- : a garment for the upper part of the body: as
- a cloth garment usu. having a collar, sleeves, a front opening, and a tail long enough to be tucked inside trousers or a skirt
- undershirt
- all or a large part of one's money or resources
- lost his shirt on that business deal
shirt·dress [-,dres] -n
- a tailored dress patterned after a shirt and having buttons down the front
shirt·front [-,frənt] -n
- the front of a shirt
- the part of a man's shirt not covered by coat or vest
shirt·ing ['shər-tiŋ] -n
- fabric suitable for shirts
shirt jacket -n
- a jacket designed in the style of a shirt called also shirt-jac
shirt·mak·er ['shərt-,mā-kər] -n
- one that makes shirts
shirt·sleeve [-,slēv] -n
- the sleeve of a shirt
shirtsleeve [-,slēvz] -adj
- being without a coat
- calling for the removal of coats for the sake of comfort or efficiency
- marked by informality and directness
shirt·tail ['shərt-,tāl] -n
- the part of a shirt that reaches below the waist esp. in the back
- something small or inadequate
shirttail -adj
- very young : immature
- shirttail boys fishing in the creek
- distantly and indefinitely related
- a shirttail cousin on her father's side
- small, trivial, or short typically to the point of inadequacy
- has a gullied shirttail ranch in the hills
shirt·waist ['shərt-,wāst] -n
- a woman's tailored garment (as a blouse or dress) with details copied from men's shirts
shirty ['shər-tē] -adj
- angry, irritated
shish ke·bab ['shish-kə-,bäb] -n
- kebab cooked on skewers
shit ['shit, interjectionally also 'shē-ət] -n, adj
- feces
- an act of defecation
- nonsense, crap
- any of several intoxicating or narcotic drugs
- heroin
- damn
- a worthless, offensive, or detestable person
- used as an interjection
- used as an intensive usu. with the
- defecate
- to defecate in
- to attempt to deceive : bullshit
shitake [shē-'tä-kē] -n
(variant of shiitake)
- a dark Asian mushroom ( Lentinus edodesof the family Agaricaceae) widely cultivated esp. on woods of the beech family for its edible flavorful tan to brown cap
shit·less ['shit-ləs] -adv
- to an extreme degree used as an intensive esp. with scare
shit·load ['shit-,lōd] -n
- a very large amount : lot
shit·tah ['shi-tə] -n
- a tree of uncertain identity but prob. an acacia (as Acacia seyal) from the wood of which the ark and fittings of the Hebrew tabernacle were made
shit·tim·wood ['shi-təm-,wu̇d] -n
- the wood of the shittah tree
- any of several trees (genus Bumelia,esp. B. lanuginosa) of the sapodilla family of the southern U.S.
- their hard heavy dense wood
shiv ['shiv] -n
- knife
Shi·va ['shi-və, 'shē-] -n
- the god of destruction and regeneration in the Hindu sacred triad
shi·vah ['shi-və] -n
- a traditional seven-day period of mourning the dead that is observed in Jewish homes often used in the phrase sit shivah
shiv·a·ree [,shi-və-'rē, 'shi-və-,] -n, vt
- a noisy mock serenade to a newly married couple
shiv·er ['shi-vər] -n
- one of the small pieces into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence
shiver ['shi-və-riŋ, 'shiv-riŋ] -vb
- to break into many small pieces : shatter
- to undergo trembling : quiver
- to tremble in the wind as it strikes first one and then the other side (of a sail)
- to cause (a sail) to shiver by steering close to the wind
- an instance of shivering : tremble
- an intense shivery sensation esp. of fear often used in pl. with the
- horror movies give him the shiver s
- a hard blow (as with a forearm) esp. to the head or neck
shiv·ery ['shi-və-rē, 'shiv-rē] -adj
- easily broken into shivers
shivery -adj
- characterized by shivers
- causing shivers
shlemiel [shlə-'mēl] -n
(variant of schlemiel)
- an unlucky bungler : chump
shlep ['shlep] -vb
(variant of schlep)
- drag, haul
- to proceed or move esp. slowly, tediously, awkwardly, or carelessly
shlock ['shläk] -adj, n
(variant of schlock)
- of low quality or value
shlub ['shləb] -n
(variant of schlub)
- a stupid, worthless, or unattractive person
Sho·ah ['shō-ə, -,ä] -n
- holocaust
shoal ['shōl] -adj
- shallow
- shallow
- a sandbank or sandbar that makes the water shallow
- to become shallow
- to come to a shallow or less deep part of
- to cause to become shallow or less deep
- a large group or number : crowd
- throng, school
shoat ['shōt] -n
- a young hog and esp. one that has been weaned
shock ['shäk] -n
- a pile of sheaves of grain or stalks of Indian corn set up in a field with the butt ends down
- to collect into shocks
- the impact or encounter of individuals or groups in combat
- a violent shake or jar : concussion
- an effect of such violence
- a disturbance in the equilibrium or permanence of something
- a sudden or violent mental or emotional disturbance
- something that causes such disturbance
- a state of being so disturbed
- were in shock after they heard the news
- a state of profound depression of the vital processes associated with reduced blood volume and pressure and caused usu. by severe esp. crushing injuries, hemorrhage, or burns
- sudden stimulation of the nerves and convulsive contraction of the muscles caused by the discharge of electricity through the animal body
- stroke
- coronary thrombosis
- shock absorber
- to strike with surprise, terror, horror, or disgust
- to cause to undergo a physical or nervous shock
- to subject to the action of an electrical discharge
- to drive by or as if by a shock
- to meet with a shock : collide
- to cause surprise or shock
- an exhibit meant to shock
- bushy, shaggy
- a thick bushy mass (as of hair)
shock absorber -n
- any of several devices for absorbing the energy of sudden impulses or shocks in machinery or structures
shock·er ['shä-kər] -n
- one that shocks
- something horrifying or offensive (as a sensational film or work of fiction)
shock front -n
- the advancing edge of a shock wave
shock·ing ['shä-kiŋ] -adj, adv
- extremely startling, distressing, or offensive
shocking pink -n
- a striking, vivid, bright, or intense pink
shock jock -n
- a radio personality noted for provocative or inflammatory commentary
shock·proof ['shäk-,prüf] -adj
- incapable of being shocked
- resistant to damage by shock
- unlikely to cause shock : protectively insulated
shock therapy -n
- the treatment of mental disorder by the artificial induction of coma or convulsions through use of drugs or electric current called also shock treatment
shock troops -n pl
- troops esp. suited and chosen for offensive work because of their high morale, training, and discipline
- a group of people militant in pressing for a cause
shock tube -n
- a usu. enclosed tube in which experimental shock waves are produced as a result of the rupturing of a diaphragm separating two chambers containing a gas or gases at differential pressure
shock wave -n
- a compressional wave of high amplitude caused by a shock (as from an earthquake or explosion) to the medium through which the wave travels
- a violent often pulsating disturbance or reaction
shod ['shäd] -adj
- wearing footgear (as shoes)
- equipped with tires
- furnished or equipped with a shoe
shod·dy ['shä-dē] -n
- a reclaimed wool from materials that are not felted that is of better quality and longer staple than mungo
- a fabric often of inferior quality manufactured wholly or partly from reclaimed wool
- inferior, imitative, or pretentious articles or matter
- pretentious vulgarity
shoddy ['shä-də-lē] -adj, adv, n
- made wholly or partly of shoddy
- cheaply imitative : vulgarly pretentious
- hastily or poorly done : inferior
- shabby, disreputable
shoe ['shü] -n, adj
- an outer covering for the human foot typically having a thick or stiff sole with an attached heel and an upper part of lighter material (as leather)
- a metal plate or rim for the hoof of an animal
- something resembling a shoe in function or placement
- another's place, function, or viewpoint
- steps from assistant stage manager into the star's shoe s -- Steven Fuller
- a device that retards, stops, or controls the motion of an object
- the part of a brake that presses on the brake drum
- any of various devices that are inserted in or run along a track or groove to guide a movement, provide a contact or friction grip, or protect against wear, damage, or slipping
- a device (as a clip or track) on a camera that permits attachment of an accessory item (as a flash unit)
- a dealing box designed to hold several decks of playing cards
- to furnish with a shoe
- to cover for protection, strength, or ornament
shoe·bill ['shü-,bil] -n
- a large gray wading bird ( Balaeniceps rex) related to the storks and herons that inhabits wetlands of eastern Africa and has a thick broad bill
shoe·black [-,blak] -n
- bootblack
shoe·horn [-,hȯrn] -n
- a curved piece (as of horn, wood, or metal) used in putting on a shoe
shoehorn -vt
- to force to be included or admitted
- shoehorn ed irrelevant arguments into his essay
- to force or compress into an insufficient space or period of time : squeeze
- shoehorn the past, present, and future into about 500 pages -- Otis Port
shoe·lace ['shü-,lās] -n
- a lace or string for fastening a shoe
shoeleath·er ['shü-,le-thər] -adj
- involving or using basic, direct, or old-fashioned methods
shoe·mak·er [-,mā-kər] -n
- a person whose occupation is making or repairing shoes
shoe·pac ['shü-,pak] -n
- a waterproof laced boot worn esp. over heavy socks in cold weather
shoe·string ['shü-,striŋ] -n
- shoelace
- a small sum of money : capital inadequate or barely adequate to the needs of a transaction
- started the business on a shoestring
shoestring -adj
- narrow and long like a shoestring
- operating on, accomplished by, or consisting of a small amount of money or capital
shoestring catch -n
- a catch (as in baseball) made very close to the feet
shoe tree -n
- a foot-shaped device for inserting in a shoe to preserve its shape
sho·far ['shō-,fär, -fər] -n
- a ram's-horn trumpet blown by the ancient Hebrews in battle and during religious observances and used in modern Judaism esp. during Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur
shog ['shäg] -vb
- jolt, shake
- to move in a jerky manner
- to move along
- shake, jolt
sho·gun ['shō-gən] -n, adj
- one of a line of military governors ruling Japan until the revolution of 186768
sho·ji ['shō-(,)jē] -n
- a paper screen serving as a wall, partition, or sliding door
sho·jo ['shō-(,)jō] -n
- manga intended primarily for girls
sholom [shä-'lōm, shə-] -interj
(variant of shalom)
- used as a Jewish greeting and farewell
Sho·na ['shō-nə] -n
- a member of any of a group of Bantu peoples of Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique
- the group of languages spoken by the Shona
shone ['shīn] -vb
(variant of shine)
- to emit rays of light
- to be bright by reflection of light
- to be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished
- to perform extremely well
- when will stocks really shine again? -- Temma Ehrenfeld
- to have a bright glowing appearance
- his face shone with enthusiasm
- to be conspicuously evident or clear
- to cause to emit light
- to throw or direct the light of
- to make bright by polishing
- brightness caused by the emission of light
- brightness caused by the reflection of light : luster
- the shine of polished silver
- brilliance, splendor
- still has a shine about her
- fair weather : sunshine
- trick, caper usu. used in pl.
- liking, fancy
- a polish or gloss given to shoes
- a single polishing of a pair of shoes
shoo ['shü] -interj
- used esp. in driving away an unwanted animal
- to scare, drive, or send away by or as if by crying shoo
- shoo ed us away from the kitchen
shoo·fly ['shü-,flī] -n
- a child's rocker having the seat built on or usu. between supports representing an animal figure
- any of several plants held to repel flies
shoofly pie -n
- a rich pie of Pennsylvania Dutch origin made of molasses or brown sugar sprinkled with a crumbly mixture of flour, sugar, and butter
shooin ['shü-,in] -n
- one that is a certain and easy winner
shook ['shāk] -vb, adj
(variant of shake)
- to move irregularly to and fro
- to vibrate esp. as the result of a blow or shock
- to tremble as a result of physical or emotional disturbance
- to experience a state of instability : totter
- to briskly move something to and fro or up and down esp. in order to mix
- to clasp hands
- trill
- to brandish, wave, or flourish often in a threatening manner
- protesters shaking their fists
- to cause to move to and fro, up and down, or from side to side esp. in a repetitive, rhythmic, or quick jerky manner
- shook his head in disapproval
- to cause to quake, quiver, or tremble
- to free oneself from
- to get away from : get rid of
- can you shake your friend? I want to talk to you alone -- Elmer Davis
- to lessen the stability of : weaken
- to bring to a specified condition by or as if by repeated quick jerky movements
- shook himself loose from the man's grasp
- to dislodge or eject by quick jerky movements of the support or container
- shook the dust from the cloth
- to clasp (hands) in greeting or farewell or as a sign of goodwill or agreement
- to stir the feelings of : upset, agitate
- trill
- : an act of shaking: as
- an act of shaking hands
- an act of shaking oneself
- a blow or shock that upsets the equilibrium or disturbs the balance of something
- earthquake
- a condition of trembling or nervousness
- delirium tremens
- malaria
- : something produced by shaking: as
- a fissure separating annual rings of growth in timber
- milk shake
- a beverage resembling a milk shake but made without milk
- a wavering, quivering, or alternating motion caused by a blow or shock
- trill
- a very brief period of time
- I'll be there in two shake s
- one that is exceptional esp. in importance, ability, or merit usu. used in the phrase no great shakes
- a shingle split from a piece of log usu. three or four feet (about one meter) long
- deal
shookup [,shu̇k-'əp] -adj
- nervously upset : agitated
shoon ['shü] -n, adj
(variant of shoe)
- an outer covering for the human foot typically having a thick or stiff sole with an attached heel and an upper part of lighter material (as leather)
- a metal plate or rim for the hoof of an animal
- something resembling a shoe in function or placement
- another's place, function, or viewpoint
- steps from assistant stage manager into the star's shoe s -- Steven Fuller
- a device that retards, stops, or controls the motion of an object
- the part of a brake that presses on the brake drum
- any of various devices that are inserted in or run along a track or groove to guide a movement, provide a contact or friction grip, or protect against wear, damage, or slipping
- a device (as a clip or track) on a camera that permits attachment of an accessory item (as a flash unit)
- a dealing box designed to hold several decks of playing cards
- to furnish with a shoe
- to cover for protection, strength, or ornament
shoot ['shüt] -vb
- to eject or impel or cause to be ejected or impelled by a sudden release of tension (as of a bowstring or slingshot or by a flick of a finger)
- to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by an explosion (as of a powder charge in a firearm or of ignited fuel in a rocket)
- to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by a sudden release of gas or air
- shoot darts from a blowgun
- a steam catapult shoot s planes from a carrier
- to propel (as a ball or puck) toward a goal by striking or pushing with part of the body (as the hand or foot) or with an implement
- to score by so doing
- to throw or cast off or out often with force
- the horse shot his rider out of the saddle
- to cause (as a gun or bow) to propel a missile
- to utter (as words or sounds) rapidly or suddenly or with force
- shoot out a stream of invective
- to emit (as light, flame, or fumes) suddenly and rapidly
- to send forth with suddenness or intensity
- shot a look of anger at them
- to discharge, dump, or empty esp. by overturning, upending, or directing into a slide
- : to affect by shooting: as
- to strike with a missile esp. from a bow or gun
- to wound or kill with a missile discharged from a bow or firearm
- to remove or destroy by use of firearms
- wreck, explode
- to push or slide (as the bolt of a door or lock) into or out of a fastening
- to push or thrust forward : stick out
- toads shoot ing out their tongues
- to put forth in growing
- to place, send, or bring into position abruptly
- to engage in (a sport or game or a portion of a game that involves shooting) : play
- to achieve (a particular score) in a game that involves shooting
- to place or offer (a bet) on the result of casting dice
- to use up by or as if by betting : exhaust
- shot his annual bonus on a shady deal
- to engage in the hunting and killing of (as game) with firearms esp. as a sport
- to hunt over
- shoot a tract of woodland
- to cause to move suddenly or swiftly forward
- shot the car onto the highway
- to send or carry quickly : dispatch
- shoot the letter on to me as soon as you receive it
- to variegate as if by sprinkling color in streaks, flecks, or patches
- to pass swiftly by, past, or along
- to plane (as the edge of a board) straight or true
- set off, detonate, ignite
- shoot a charge of dynamite
- to effect by blasting
- to determine the altitude of
- to take a picture or series of pictures or television images of : photograph, film
- to give an injection to
- to inject (an illicit drug) esp. into the bloodstream
- to go or pass rapidly and precipitately
- sparks shoot ing all over
- his feet shot out from under him
- to move ahead by force of momentum
- to stream out suddenly : spurt
- to dart in or as if in rays from a source of light
- to dart with a piercing sensation
- to cause an engine or weapon to discharge a missile
- to use a firearm or bow esp. for sport (as in hunting)
- to propel a missile
- guns that shoot many miles
- protrude, project
- to grow or sprout by or as if by putting forth shoots
- develop, mature
- to spring or rise rapidly or suddenly often used with up
- in a burst of growth he shot up to six feet tall
- to propel an object (as a ball) in a particular way
- to drive the ball or puck toward a goal
- to cast dice
- to slide into or out of a fastening
- a bolt that shoot s in either direction
- to record something (as on film or videotape) with a camera
- to begin to speak usu. used as an imperative
- OK, shoot, what do you have to say
- : a sending out of new growth or the growth sent out: as
- a stem or branch with its leaves and appendages esp. when not yet mature
- offshoot
- : an act of shooting (as with a bow or a firearm):
- shot
- the firing of a missile esp. by artillery
- a hunting trip or party
- the right to shoot game in a particular area or land over which it is held
- a shooting match
- a round of shots in a shooting match
- the action or an instance of shooting with a camera : a session or a series of sessions of photographing or filming
- : a motion or movement of rapid thrusting: as
- a sudden or rapid advance
- a momentary darting sensation : twinge
- thrust
- the pace between strokes in rowing
- a bar of rays : beam
- a rush of water down a steep or rapid
- a place where a stream runs or descends swiftly
- used to express annoyance or surprise
shoot·around ['shüt-ə-,rau̇nd] -n
- a usu. informal basketball practice session
shoot down -vt
- to cause to fall by shooting
- to kill in this way
- was shot down in cold blood
- to put an end to : defeat, reject
- deflate, ridicule
- discredit
shoot'emup ['shüt-əm-,əp] -n
- a movie, television show, or computer game with much shooting and bloodshed
shoot·er ['shü-tər] -n
- : one that shoots: as
- a person who fires a missile-discharging device (as a rifle or bow)
- the person who is shooting or whose turn it is to shoot
- photographer
- : something that is used in shooting: as
- a marble shot from the hand
- revolver usu. used in combination
- a shot of hard liquor (as whiskey or tequila) often diluted with something (as soda)
- a bit of food (as a raw oyster) served in a shot glass
shooting gallery -n
- a usu. covered range equipped with targets for practice with firearms
- a place where one can obtain narcotics and shoot up
shooting guard -n
- a guard in basketball whose chief role is as an outside shooter
shooting iron -n
- firearm
- handgun
shooting script -n
- the final completely detailed version of a motion-picture script in which scenes are grouped in the order most convenient for shooting
- the final version of a television script used in the production of a program
shooting star -n
- a visual meteor appearing as a temporary streak of light in the night sky
- any of several No. American perennial herbs (genus Dodecatheon,esp. D. meadia) of the primrose family that have entire oblong leaves and showy flowers with reflexed petals
- one resembling a shooting star esp. in sudden and temporary brilliance
shooting stick -n
- a spiked stick with a top that opens into a seat
shootout ['shüt-,au̇t] -n
- a battle fought with handguns or rifles
- something resembling a shoot-out
- showdown
- a shooting competition in overtime that is used to determine the winner of a game (as in soccer or hockey) tied at the end of regular play
shootthechutes [,shüt-thə-'shüts] -n pl but sing in constr
- an amusement ride consisting of a steep incline down which boats slide into a pool at the bottom
shoot up ['shüt-,əp] -vt, n
- to shoot or shoot at esp. recklessly
- cowboys shooting up the town
- to inject (a narcotic drug) into a vein
- to inject a narcotic into a vein
shop ['shäp] -n
- a handicraft establishment : atelier
- a building or room stocked with merchandise for sale : store
- a small retail establishment or a department in a large one offering a specified line of goods or services
- a commercial establishment for the making or repair of goods or machinery
- a school laboratory equipped for industrial arts education
- the art or science of working with tools and machinery
- a business establishment : office
- shoptalk
- to examine goods or services with intent to buy
- to hunt through a market in search of the best buy
- to make a search : hunt
- shopping around for a better idea
- to inform on : betray
- to examine the stock or offerings of
- shop the stores for Christmas gift ideas
- to offer for consideration or acceptance
- to offer for sale or in a trade often used with around
- shopping the manuscript around
shop·a·hol·ic [,shä-pə-'hȯ-lik, -'hä-] -n
- one who is extremely or excessively fond of shopping
shop·girl ['shäp-,gər(-ə)l] -n
- a woman employed to sell merchandise esp. in a store
shop·keep·er ['shäp-,kē-pər] -n
- storekeeper
shop·lift [-,lift] -vb
- to steal displayed goods from a store
- to steal (displayed goods) from a store
shop·lift·er [-,lif-tər] -n
- one who shoplifts
shop·per ['shä-pər] -n
- one who shops
- one whose occupation is shopping as an agent for customers or for an employer
- a usu. free paper carrying advertising and sometimes local news
shopping bag -n
- a bag (as of strong paper) that has handles and is intended for carrying purchases
shopping center -n
- a group of retail stores and service establishments usu. with ample parking facilities and usu. designed to serve a community or neighborhood called also shopping plaza
shopping list -n
- a list of items to be purchased
- a list of related items
- the biggest possible shopping list of budget cuts -- Leonard Silk
shopping mall -n
- mall
shopsoiled ['shäp-,sȯi(-ə)ld] -adj
- shopworn
shop steward -n
- a union member elected as the union representative of a shop or department in dealings with the management
shop·talk ['shäp-,tȯk] -n
- the jargon or subject matter peculiar to an occupation or a special area of interest
shop·win·dow [-,win-(,)dō] -n
- a display window of a store
shop·worn [-,wȯrn] -adj
- faded, soiled, or otherwise impaired by remaining too long in a store
- stale from excessive use or familiarity
- worn-out
shore ['shȯr] -n
- the land bordering a usu. large body of water
- coast
- a boundary (as of a country) or an area within a boundary usu. used in pl.
- immigrated to these shore s
- land as distinguished from the sea
- a prop for preventing sinking or sagging
- to support by a shore : prop
- to give support to : brace usu. used with up
- trying to shore up his claim
shore·bird ['shȯr-,bərd] -n
- any of a suborder (Charadrii) of birds (as a plover or sandpiper) that frequent the seashore
shore dinner -n
- a dinner consisting chiefly of seafoods
shore·front [-,frənt] -n
- land along a shore
- beachfront
shore leave -n
- a leave of absence to go on shore granted to a sailor or naval officer
shore·line [-,līn] -n
- the line where a body of water and the shore meet
- the strip of land along the shoreline
shore patrol -n
- a branch of a navy that exercises guard and police functions
- petty officers detailed to perform police duty while a ship is in port
shore·side [-,sīd] -adj
- situated at or near a shore
shore·ward [-wərd] -adv
- toward the shore
shoring -n
- the act of supporting with or as if with a prop
- a system or group of shores
shorn ['shir] -vb, n
(variant of shear)
- to cut off the hair from
- to cut or clip (as hair or wool) from someone or something
- to cut something from
- to reap with a sickle
- to cut or trim with shears or a similar instrument
- to cut with something sharp
- to deprive of something as if by cutting
- lives shorn of any hope -- M. W. Browne
- to subject to a shear force
- to cause (as a rock mass) to move along the plane of contact
- to cut through something with or as if with a sharp instrument
- to reap crops with a sickle
- to become divided under the action of a shear
- a cutting implement similar or identical to a pair of scissors but typically larger usu. used in pl.
- one blade of a pair of shears
- any of various cutting tools or machines operating by the action of opposed cutting edges of metal usu. used in pl.
- something resembling a shear or a pair of shears
- a hoisting apparatus consisting of two or sometimes more upright spars fastened together at their upper ends and having tackle for masting or dismasting ships or lifting heavy loads (as guns) usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
- the action or process or an instance of shearing used in combination to indicate the approximate age of sheep in terms of shearings undergone
- internal force tangential to the section on which it acts called also shearing force
- an action or stress resulting from applied forces that causes or tends to cause two contiguous parts of a body to slide relatively to each other in a direction parallel to their plane of contact
short ['shȯrt] -adj, n
- having little length
- not tall or high : low
- not extended in time : brief
- not retentive
- expeditious, quick
- made short work of the problem
- seeming to pass quickly
- made great progress in just a few short years
- having a relatively short duration
- being the member of a pair of similarly spelled vowel or vowel-containing sounds that is descended from a vowel that was short in duration but is no longer so and that does not necessarily have duration as its chief distinguishing feature
- of relatively brief duration
- unstressed
- limited in distance
- not coming up to a measure or requirement : insufficient
- not reaching far enough
- the throw to first was short
- enduring privation
- insufficiently supplied
- abrupt, curt
- I'm sorry I was short with you
- quickly provoked
- choppy
- payable at an early date
- containing or cooked with shortening
- flaky
- brittle under certain conditions
- not lengthy or drawn out
- made briefer : abbreviated
- not having goods or property that one has sold in anticipation of a fall in prices
- consisting of, relating to, or engaging in the sale of securities or commodities that the seller does not possess or has not contracted for at the time of the sale
- near the end of a tour of duty
- in a curt manner
- for or during a brief time
- at a disadvantage : unawares
- in an abrupt manner : suddenly
- at some point or degree before a goal or limit aimed at or under consideration
- quit a month short of graduation
- clean across
- the axle was snapped short
- by or as if by a short sale
- the sum and substance : upshot
- a short syllable
- a short sound or signal
- a by-product of wheat milling that includes the germ, fine bran, and some flour
- refuse, clippings, or trimmings discarded in various manufacturing processes
- knee-length or less than knee-length trousers usu. used in pl.
- short drawers
- a size in clothing for short men
- one who operates on the short side of the market
- short-term bonds
- deficiencies
- short circuit
- shortstop
- short subject
- a brief story or article (as in a newspaper)
- short-circuit
- shortchange, cheat
- to sell (a security) short in expectation of a fall in prices
short·age ['shȯr-tij] -n
- lack, deficit
short ballot -n
- a ballot limiting the number of elective offices to the most important legislative and executive posts and leaving minor positions to be filled by appointment
short·bread ['shȯrt-,bred] -n
- a thick cookie made of flour, sugar, and a large amount of shortening
short·cake [-,kāk] -n
- a crisp and often unsweetened biscuit or cookie
- a dessert made typically of very short baking-powder-biscuit dough spread with sweetened fruit
- a dish consisting of a rich biscuit split and covered with a meat mixture
short·change [-'chānj] -vt, n
- to give less than the correct amount of change to
- to deprive of or give less than something due : cheat
- was shortchanged out of a promotion
shortcir·cuit -vt
- to apply a short circuit to or establish a short circuit in
- bypass
- frustrate, impede
short circuit -n
- a connection of comparatively low resistance accidentally or intentionally made between points on a circuit between which the resistance is normally much greater
short·com·ing ['shȯrt-,kə-miŋ, ,shȯrt-'] -n
- an imperfection or lack that detracts from the whole
- the quality or state of being flawed or lacking
short·cut ['shȯrt-,kət also -'kət] -n
- a route more direct than the one ordinarily taken
- a method or means of doing something more directly and quickly than and often not so thoroughly as by ordinary procedure
shortcut -vb
- to shorten (as a route or procedure) by use of a shortcut
- circumvent
- to take or use a shortcut
shortday ['shȯrt-,dā] -adj
- responding to or relating to a short photoperiod used esp. of a plant
short division -n
- mathematical division in which the successive steps are performed without writing out the remainders
shorteared owl ['shȯrt-,ird-] -n
- a medium-sized nearly cosmopolitan owl ( Asio flammeus) that has very short ear tufts and usu. nests on the ground
short·en ['shȯr-tᵊn] -vb, n
- to reduce the length or duration of
- to cause to seem short
- to reduce in power or efficiency
- is my hand shorten ed, that it cannot redeem -- Isa 50:2(RSV)
- to deprive of effect
- to add fat to (as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky
- to become short or shorter
shortening -n
- the action or process of making or becoming short
- the dropping of the latter part of a word so as to produce a new and shorter word of the same meaning
- an edible fat used to shorten baked goods
short·fall ['shȯrt-,fȯl] -n
- a failure to come up to expectation or need
- the amount of such failure
short fuse -n
- a tendency to get angry easily : a quick temper
shortgrass prairie ['shȯrt-,gras-] -n
- prairie
short·hair [-,her] -n, adj
- a domestic cat with a short thick coat
- a member of any of several breeds of muscular medium- to large-sized cats with a short plushy coat
short·hand [-,hand] -n, adj
- a method of writing rapidly by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols for letters, sounds, words, or phrases : stenography
- something likened to shorthand esp. in providing rapid or abbreviated communication or representation
- stereotype and cliche serve a purpose as a form of shorthand -- Stephanie Ericsson
short·hand·ed [,shȯrt-'han-dəd] -adj
- having, working with, or done with fewer than the regular or necessary number of people
shorthaul ['shȯrt-,hȯl] -adj
- traveling or involving a short distance
short·horn [-,hȯrn] -n
- any of a breed of red, roan, white, or red and white beef cattle originating in northern England and including good milk-producing strains called also Durham
shorthorned grasshopper ['shȯrt-,hȯrn(d)-] -n
- any of a family (Acrididae) of grasshoppers with short antennae
short hundredweight -n
- hundredweight
short·leaf pine ['shȯrt-,lēf-] -n
- a pine ( Pinus echinata) chiefly of the southeastern U.S. that has short flexible needles usu. in clusters of two and reddish-brown bark
- its yellow wood
short line -n
- a transportation system (as a railroad) operating over a relatively short distance
short list -n, vt
- a limited list of important items or individuals
- a list of candidates for final consideration (as for a position or a prize)
shortlived ['shȯrt-'livd also -'līvd] -adj
- not living or lasting long
short loin -n
- a portion of the hindquarter of beef immediately behind the ribs that is usu. cut into steaks
short·ly ['shȯrt-lē] -adv
- in a few words : briefly
- in an abrupt manner
- in a short time
- at a short interval
shortnosed cattle louse ['shȯrt-,nōz(d)-] -n
- a large bluish sucking louse ( Haematopinus eurysternus) that attacks domestic cattle
short of -prep
- other than
- of a lesser degree than
- had few options short of replacing the motor
shortorder ['shȯrt-,ȯr-dər, -'ȯr-] -adj
- preparing or serving food that can be cooked quickly to a customer's order
shortrange ['shȯrt-'rānj] -adj
- involving or taking into account a short period of time
- relating to or fit for short distances
short ribs -n pl
- a cut of beef consisting of rib ends between the rib roast and the plate
short run -n, adj
- a relatively brief period of time often used in the phrase in the short run
short shrift -n
- barely adequate time for confession before execution
- little or no attention or consideration
- gave the problem short shrift
- quick work usu. used in the phrase make short shrift of
short sight -n
- myopia
short·sight·ed ['shȯrt-,sī-təd] -adj, adv, n
- lacking foresight
- nearsighted
shortspo·ken [-,spō-kən] -adj
- curt
short·stop [-,stäp] -n
- the player position in baseball for defending the infield area on the third-base side of second base
- the player stationed in the shortstop position
shortstop [-,stäp] -n
- stop bath
short story -n
- an invented prose narrative shorter than a novel usu. dealing with a few characters and aiming at unity of effect and often concentrating on the creation of mood rather than plot
short subject -n
- a brief often documentary or educational film
shorttem·pered [,shȯrt-'tem-pərd] -adj
- having a quick temper
shortterm ['shȯrt-,tərm] -adj
- occurring over or involving a relatively short period of time
- of, relating to, or constituting a financial operation or obligation based on a brief term and esp. one of less than a year
- generated by assets held for less than six months
short·wave ['shȯrt-,wāv] -n
- a radio wave having a wavelength between 10 and 100 meters
- a radio transmitter or receiver using shortwaves
- electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength equal to or less than that of visible light
shortweight ['shȯrt-'wāt] -vt
- to defraud with short weight
short weight ['shȯrt-'wāt] -n
- weight less than the stated weight or less than one is charged for
shortwind·ed [,shȯrt-'win-dəd] -adj
- affected with or characterized by shortness of breath
- brief
- broken up into short units
shorty ['shȯr-tē] -n
- one that is short
Sho·shone [shə-'shōn, -'shō-nē; 'shō-,shōn] -n
- a member of a group of American Indian peoples orig. ranging through California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming
- the Uto-Aztecan language of the Shoshones
shot ['shät] -n
- an action of shooting
- a directed propelling of a missile
- a directed discharge of a firearm
- a stroke or throw in an attempt to score points in a game (as tennis, pool, or basketball)
- home run
- ability to shoot
- has the best shot on the team
- blast
- a medical or narcotics injection
- something propelled by shooting
- small lead or steel pellets esp. forming a charge for a shotgun
- a metal sphere of iron or brass that is heaved in the shot put
- the distance that a missile is or can be thrown
- range, reach
- a charge to be paid : scot
- one that shoots
- marksman
- attempt, try
- guess, conjecture
- chance
- a shot at winning the prize
- a single appearance as an entertainer
- did a guest shot for the program
- an effective remark
- swipe
- a single photographic exposure
- snapshot
- a single sequence of a motion picture or a television program shot by one camera without interruption
- a charge of explosives
- a small measure or serving (as one ounce) of undiluted liquor or other beverage
- a small amount applied at one time : dose
- sprinkles, jimmies
shot ['shüt] -vb
(variant of shoot)
- to eject or impel or cause to be ejected or impelled by a sudden release of tension (as of a bowstring or slingshot or by a flick of a finger)
- to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by an explosion (as of a powder charge in a firearm or of ignited fuel in a rocket)
- to drive forth or cause to be driven forth by a sudden release of gas or air
- shoot darts from a blowgun
- a steam catapult shoot s planes from a carrier
- to propel (as a ball or puck) toward a goal by striking or pushing with part of the body (as the hand or foot) or with an implement
- to score by so doing
- to throw or cast off or out often with force
- the horse shot his rider out of the saddle
- to cause (as a gun or bow) to propel a missile
- to utter (as words or sounds) rapidly or suddenly or with force
- shoot out a stream of invective
- to emit (as light, flame, or fumes) suddenly and rapidly
- to send forth with suddenness or intensity
- shot a look of anger at them
- to discharge, dump, or empty esp. by overturning, upending, or directing into a slide
- : to affect by shooting: as
- to strike with a missile esp. from a bow or gun
- to wound or kill with a missile discharged from a bow or firearm
- to remove or destroy by use of firearms
- wreck, explode
- to push or slide (as the bolt of a door or lock) into or out of a fastening
- to push or thrust forward : stick out
- toads shoot ing out their tongues
- to put forth in growing
- to place, send, or bring into position abruptly
- to engage in (a sport or game or a portion of a game that involves shooting) : play
- to achieve (a particular score) in a game that involves shooting
- to place or offer (a bet) on the result of casting dice
- to use up by or as if by betting : exhaust
- shot his annual bonus on a shady deal
- to engage in the hunting and killing of (as game) with firearms esp. as a sport
- to hunt over
- shoot a tract of woodland
- to cause to move suddenly or swiftly forward
- shot the car onto the highway
- to send or carry quickly : dispatch
- shoot the letter on to me as soon as you receive it
- to variegate as if by sprinkling color in streaks, flecks, or patches
- to pass swiftly by, past, or along
- to plane (as the edge of a board) straight or true
- set off, detonate, ignite
- shoot a charge of dynamite
- to effect by blasting
- to determine the altitude of
- to take a picture or series of pictures or television images of : photograph, film
- to give an injection to
- to inject (an illicit drug) esp. into the bloodstream
- to go or pass rapidly and precipitately
- sparks shoot ing all over
- his feet shot out from under him
- to move ahead by force of momentum
- to stream out suddenly : spurt
- to dart in or as if in rays from a source of light
- to dart with a piercing sensation
- to cause an engine or weapon to discharge a missile
- to use a firearm or bow esp. for sport (as in hunting)
- to propel a missile
- guns that shoot many miles
- protrude, project
- to grow or sprout by or as if by putting forth shoots
- develop, mature
- to spring or rise rapidly or suddenly often used with up
- in a burst of growth he shot up to six feet tall
- to propel an object (as a ball) in a particular way
- to drive the ball or puck toward a goal
- to cast dice
- to slide into or out of a fastening
- a bolt that shoot s in either direction
- to record something (as on film or videotape) with a camera
- to begin to speak usu. used as an imperative
- OK, shoot, what do you have to say
- : a sending out of new growth or the growth sent out: as
- a stem or branch with its leaves and appendages esp. when not yet mature
- offshoot
- : an act of shooting (as with a bow or a firearm):
- shot
- the firing of a missile esp. by artillery
- a hunting trip or party
- the right to shoot game in a particular area or land over which it is held
- a shooting match
- a round of shots in a shooting match
- the action or an instance of shooting with a camera : a session or a series of sessions of photographing or filming
- : a motion or movement of rapid thrusting: as
- a sudden or rapid advance
- a momentary darting sensation : twinge
- thrust
- the pace between strokes in rowing
- a bar of rays : beam
- a rush of water down a steep or rapid
- a place where a stream runs or descends swiftly
- used to express annoyance or surprise
shot clock -n
- a clock in basketball that displays a countdown of the time within which shooting the ball is required
shot·gun ['shät-,gən] -n, vt
- a smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing shot at short ranges
- an offensive football formation in which the quarterback plays a few yards behind the line of scrimmage and the other backs are scattered as flankers or slotbacks
shotgun -adj
- of, relating to, or using a shotgun
- involving coercion
- covering a wide field with hit-or-miss effectiveness
shotgun house -n
- a house in which all the rooms are in direct line with each other usu. front to back called also shotgun cottage shotgun shack
shotgun marriage -n
- a marriage forced or required because of pregnancy called also shotgun wedding
- a forced union
- a spate of brokerage mergers...hastily arranged shotgun marriages -- John Brooks
shot hole -n
- a drilled hole in which a charge of dynamite is exploded
- the dropping out of small rounded fragments of leaves that produces a shot-riddled appearance and is caused esp. by parasitic action
shot put ['shät-,pu̇-tər] -n
- a field event in which a shot is heaved for distance
shot·ten ['shä-tᵊn] -adj
- having ejected the spawn and so of inferior food value
should [shəd, 'shu̇d] -verbal auxiliary
- used in auxiliary function to express condition
- if he should leave his father, his father would die -- Gen 44:22(RSV)
- used in auxiliary function to express obligation, propriety, or expediency
- 'tis commanded I should do so -- Shak.
- this is as it should be -- H. L. Savage
- you should brush your teeth after each meal
- used in auxiliary function to express futurity from a point of view in the past
- realized that she should have to do most of her farm work before sunrise -- Ellen Glasgow
- used in auxiliary function to express what is probable or expected
- with an early start, they should be here by noon
- used in auxiliary function to express a request in a polite manner or to soften direct statement
- I should suggest that a guide...is the first essential -- L. D. Reddick
shoul·der ['shōl-dər] -n, adj
- the laterally projecting part of the human body formed of the bones and joints with their covering tissue by which the arm is connected with the trunk
- the region of the body of nonhuman vertebrates that corresponds to the shoulder but is less projecting
- the two shoulders and the upper part of the back usu. used in pl.
- capacity for bearing a task or blame
- placed the guilt squarely on his shoulder s
- a cut of meat including the upper joint of the foreleg and adjacent parts
- the part of a garment at the wearer's shoulder
- : an area adjacent to or along the edge of a higher, more prominent, or more important part: as
- the part of a hill or mountain near the top
- a lateral protrusion or extension of a hill or mountain
- either edge of a roadway
- the part of a roadway outside of the traveled way
- a rounded or sloping part (as of a stringed instrument or a bottle) where the neck joins the body
shoulder [-d(ə-)riŋ] -vb
- to push or thrust with or as if with the shoulder : jostle
- shoulder ed his way through the crowd
- to place or bear on the shoulder
- to assume the burden or responsibility of
- to push with or as if with the shoulders aggressively
shoulder bag -n
- a handbag looped over the shoulder by a strap
shoulder belt -n
- an automobile safety belt worn across the torso and over the shoulder called also shoulder harness
shoulder blade -n
- scapula
shoulder board -n
- one of a pair of broad pieces of stiffened cloth worn on the shoulders of a military uniform and carrying insignia
shoulder girdle -n
- the bony or cartilaginous arch that supports the forelimbs of a vertebrate called also pectoral girdle
shoulder knot -n
- an ornamental knot of ribbon or lace worn on the shoulder in the 17th and 18th centuries
- a detachable ornament of braided wire cord worn on ceremonial occasions on the shoulders of a uniform by a commissioned officer
shoulder patch -n
- a cloth patch bearing an identifying mark and worn on one sleeve of a uniform below the shoulder
shoulder strap -n
- a strap that passes across the shoulder and holds up an article or garment
should·est [shəl, 'shal] -vb
(variant of shall)
- will have to : must
- will be able to : can
- used to express a command or exhortation
- used in laws, regulations, or directives to express what is mandatory
- it shall be unlawful to carry firearms
- used to express what is inevitable or seems likely to happen in the future
- we shall have to be ready
- used to express simple futurity
- used to express determination
- will go
- he to England shall along with you -- Shak.
shouldn't ['shu̇-dᵊnt, -dᵊn, dial also 'shu̇-tᵊn(t) or 'shu̇nt]
- should not
shouldst [shəl, 'shal] -vb
(variant of shall)
- will have to : must
- will be able to : can
- used to express a command or exhortation
- used in laws, regulations, or directives to express what is mandatory
- it shall be unlawful to carry firearms
- used to express what is inevitable or seems likely to happen in the future
- we shall have to be ready
- used to express simple futurity
- used to express determination
- will go
- he to England shall along with you -- Shak.
shout ['shau̇t] -vb, n
- to utter a sudden loud cry
- to command attention as if by shouting
- a quality that shout s from good novels -- John Gardner
- to utter in a loud voice
- to cause to be, come, or stop by or as if by shouting
- the proponents shout ed down the opposition
- a loud cry or call
shouting distance -n
- a short distance : easy reach usu. used with within
- lived within shouting distance of her cousins
shoutout ['shau̇t-,au̇t] -n
- a brief expression of greeting or praise given esp. on a broadcast or audio recording
shout song -n
- a rhythmic song sung at religious services esp. by black Americans and characterized by responsive singing or shouting between leader and congregation
shove ['shəv] -vb, n
- to push along
- to push or put in a rough, careless, or hasty manner : thrust
- to force by other than physical means : compel
- shove a bill through the legislature
- to move by forcing a way
- bargain hunters shoving up to the counter
- to move something by exerting force
- leave usu. used with off
- an act or instance of shoving : a forcible push
shov·el ['shə-vəl] -n
- a hand implement consisting of a broad scoop or a more or less hollowed out blade with a handle used to lift and throw material
- something that resembles a shovel
- an excavating machine
- a hydraulic diesel-engine driven power shovel
- shovelful
shovel ['shə-və-liŋ, 'shəv-liŋ] -vb
- to take up and throw with a shovel
- to dig or clean out with a shovel
- to throw or convey roughly or in a mass as if with a shovel
- shovel ed his food into his mouth
- to use a shovel
shov·el·er ['shə-və-lər, 'shəv-lər] -n
- one that shovels
- any of several freshwater ducks (genus Anas) that have a large very broad bill and feed by dabbling
shov·el·ful ['shə-vəl-,fu̇l] -n
- as much as a shovel will hold
shovel hat -n
- a shallow-crowned hat with a wide brim curved up at the sides that is worn by some clergymen
shov·el·nose [-,nōz] -n
- a shovel-nosed animal and esp. a fish
shov·elnosed ['shə-vəl-,nōzd] -adj
- having a broad flat head, nose, or beak
shovel pass -n
- a short underhand pass (as in football)
show ['shō] -vb, adj
- to cause or permit to be seen : exhibit
- show ed pictures of the baby
- to offer for sale
- stores were show ing new spring suits
- to present as a public spectacle : perform
- to reveal by one's condition, nature, or behavior
- show ed themselves to be cowards
- to give indication or record of
- an anemometer show s wind speed
- to point out : direct attention to
- show ed the view from the terrace
- conduct, usher
- show ed me to an aisle seat
- accord, bestow
- to set forth : declare
- allege, plead used esp. in law
- to demonstrate or establish by argument or reasoning
- inform, instruct
- show ed me how to solve the problem
- to present (an animal) for judging in a show
- to be or come in view
- 3:15 show ed on the clock
- to put in an appearance
- to appear in a particular way
- anger show ed in their faces
- seem, appear
- to give a theatrical performance
- to be staged or presented
- to appear as a contestant
- to present an animal in a show
- to finish third or at least third (as in a horse race)
- to exhibit one's artistic work
- a demonstrative display
- outward appearance
- a false semblance : pretense
- made a show of friendship
- a more or less true appearance of something : sign
- an impressive display
- his role as househusband...was purely for show -- John Lahr
- ostentation
- chance
- gave him a show in spite of his background
- something exhibited esp. for wonder or ridicule : spectacle
- a large display or exhibition arranged to arouse interest or stimulate sales
- a competitive exhibition of animals (as dogs) to demonstrate quality in breeding
- a theatrical presentation
- a radio or television program
- entertainment
- enterprise, affair
- third place at the finish (as of a horse race)
- the major leagues in baseball used with the
showandtell ['shō-ən(d)-'tel] -n
- a classroom exercise in which children display an item and talk about it
- a public display or demonstration
show bill -n
- an advertising poster
show·biz ['shō-,biz] -n, adj
- show business
- razzle-dazzle, flash
show·boat ['shō-,bōt] -n
- a river steamship containing a theater and carrying a troupe of actors to give plays at river communities
- one who tries to attract attention by conspicuous behavior
showboat -vi, n
- to behave in a conspicuous or ostentatious manner : show off
showbread ['shō-,bred] -n
(variant of shewbread)
- consecrated unleavened bread ritually placed by the Jewish priests of ancient Israel on a table in the sanctuary of the Tabernacle on the Sabbath
show business -n
- the arts, occupations, and businesses (as theater, motion pictures, and television) that comprise the entertainment industry
show·case ['shō-,kās] -n
- a glazed case, box, or cabinet for displaying and protecting wares in a store or articles in a museum
- a setting, occasion, or medium for exhibiting something or someone esp. in an attractive or favorable aspect
showcase -vt
- to exhibit esp. in an attractive or favorable aspect
show·down ['shō-,dau̇n] -n
- the placing of poker hands faceup on the table to determine the winner of a pot
- a decisive confrontation or contest
show·er ['shau̇(-ə)r] -n, adj
- a fall of rain of short duration
- a similar fall of sleet, hail, or snow
- something resembling a rain shower
- a fall of meteors which belong to a single group and whose trails appear to originate at the same point in space
- a party given by friends who bring gifts often of a particular kind
- a bath in which water is showered on the body
- the apparatus that provides a shower
shower ['shau̇(-ə)r-ər] -vi, n
- to rain or fall in or as if in a shower
- letters shower ed on him in praise and protest
- to bathe in a shower
- to wet (as with water) in a spray, fine stream, or drops
- to cause to fall in a shower
- factory chimneys shower ed soot on the district
- to cause a shower to fall on
- shower ed the newlyweds with rice
- to give in abundance
- shower ed her with honors
show·er ['shō-ər] -n
- one that shows : exhibitor
shower bath -n
- shower
show·er·head ['shau̇(-ə)r-,hed] -n
- a fixture for directing the spray of water in a bathroom shower
show·girl ['shō-,gər(-ə)l] -n
- a chorus girl in a musical comedy or nightclub show
showing -n
- an act or an instance of putting something (as an artist's work) on view : display
- the presentation of a motion picture
- show
- performance, record
- made a good showing in competition
- a statement or presentation of a case
- appearance, evidence
show jumping -n
- the competitive riding of horses one at a time over a set course of obstacles in which the winner is judged according to ability and speed
show·man ['shō-mən] -n
- the producer of a play or theatrical show
- a notably spectacular, dramatic, or effective performer
showme ['shō-mē] -adj
- insistent on proof or evidence
showoff ['shō-,ȯf] -n, adj
- the act of showing off
- one that shows off : exhibitionist
show off -vt
- to display proudly
- wanted to show our new car off
- to seek to attract attention by conspicuous behavior
- boys showing off for the girls
show·piece ['shō-,pēs] -n
- a prime or outstanding example used for exhibition
show·place [-,plās] -n
- a place (as an estate or building) that is regarded as an example of beauty or excellence
show ring -n
- a ring (as at a cattle show) where animals are displayed
show·room [-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n
- a room where merchandise is exhibited for sale or where samples are displayed
show·stop·per [-,stä-pər] -n, adj
- an act, song, or performer that wins applause so prolonged as to interrupt a performance
- something or someone exceptionally arresting or attractive
- the gold crown was the showstopper of the exhibition
- one that stops or could stop the progress, operation, or functioning of something
show·time ['shō-,tīm] -n
- the scheduled or actual time at which a show or something likened to a show begins
show trial -n
- a trial (as of political opponents) in which the verdict is rigged and a public confession is often extracted
show up -vt
- to expose or discredit esp. by revealing faults
- to embarrass or cause to look bad esp. by comparison
- trying to show up the boss
- reveal
- arrive, appear
- showed up late for his own wedding
- to be plainly evident
show window -n
- an outside display window in which a store exhibits merchandise
- a sample or setting used to exhibit or illustrate something at its best
showy ['shō-ē] -adj, adv, n
- making an attractive show : striking
- given to or marked by a flashy often tasteless display
sho·yu ['shō-(,)yü] -n
- soy
shp -abbr
- shaft horsepower
shrank ['shriŋk, esp Southern 'sriŋk] -vb, adj, n
(variant of shrink)
- to contract or curl up the body or part of it : huddle, cower
- to contract to less extent or compass
- to become smaller or more compacted
- to lose substance or weight
- to lessen in value : dwindle
- to recoil instinctively (as from something painful or horrible)
- shrank from the challenge
- to hold oneself back : refrain
- did not shrink from telling the truth
- to cause to contract or shrink
- to compact (cloth) by causing to contract when subjected to washing, boiling, steaming, or other processes
- the act of shrinking
- shrinkage
- a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist
shrap·nel ['shrap-nᵊl, esp Southern 'srap-] -n
- a projectile that consists of a case provided with a powder charge and a large number of usu. lead balls and that is exploded in flight
- bomb, mine, or shell fragments
shred ['shred, esp Southern 'sred] -n
- a long narrow strip cut or torn off
- a shredded, damaged, or ruined condition
- a reputation torn to shred s
- particle, scrap
- to cut off
- to cut or tear into shreds
- demolish
- sharp lawyers shredding hapless witnesses -- Charles Krauthammer
- to come apart in or break up into shreds
shredded wheat -n
- a breakfast cereal made from cooked partially dried wheat that is shredded and molded into biscuits which are then oven-baked and toasted
shrew ['shrü, esp Southern 'srü] -n, adj
- any of a family (Soricidae) of small chiefly nocturnal insectivores related to the moles and distinguished by a long pointed snout, very small eyes, and short velvety fur
- an ill-tempered scolding woman
- curse
shrewd ['shrüd, esp Southern 'srüd] -adj, adv, n
- mischievous
- abusive, shrewish
- ominous, dangerous
- severe, hard
- sharp, piercing
- marked by clever discerning awareness and hardheaded acumen
- given to wily and artful ways or dealing
shrew·ish ['shrü-ish, esp Southern 'srü-] -adj, adv, n
- ill-natured, intractable
shri ['srē, 'shrē] -n
(variant of sri)
- used as a conventional title of respect when addressing or speaking of a distinguished Indian
shriek ['shrēk, esp Southern 'srēk] -vb
- to utter a sharp shrill sound
- to cry out in a high-pitched voice : screech
- to suggest such a cry (as by vividness of expression)
- neon colors shriek ed for attention -- Calvin Tomkins
- to utter with a shriek
- to express in a manner suggestive of a shriek
- a shrill usu. wild or involuntary cry
- a sound resembling a shriek
- the shriek of chalk on the blackboard
shrie·val ['shrē-vəl, esp Southern 'srē-] -adj
- of or relating to a sheriff
shrie·val·ty [-vəl-tē] -n
- the office, term of office, or jurisdiction of a sheriff
shrieve ['shrīv, esp Southern 'srīv] -vb
(variant of shrive)
- to administer the sacrament of reconciliation to
- to free from guilt
- to confess one's sins esp. to a priest
shrift ['shrift, esp Southern 'srift] -n
- a remission of sins pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of reconciliation
- the act of shriving : confession
- confessional
shrike ['shrīk, esp Southern 'srīk] -n
- any of numerous usu. largely gray or brownish oscine birds (family Laniidae) that have a hooked bill, feed chiefly on insects, and often impale their prey on thorns
shrill ['shril, esp Southern 'sril] -vb
- scream
- to utter or emit an acute piercing sound
- having or emitting a sharp high-pitched tone or sound : piercing
- accompanied by sharp high-pitched sounds or cries
- having a sharp or vivid effect on the senses
- strident, intemperate
- a shrill sound
- the shrill of the ship's whistle
shrimp ['shrimp, esp Southern 'srimp] -n, adj
- any of numerous mostly small and marine decapod crustaceans (suborders Dendrobranchiata and Pleocyemata) having a slender elongated body, a compressed abdomen, and a long spiny rostrum and including some (esp. family Penaeidae) that are commercially important as food
- a small crustacean (as an amphipod or a branchiopod) resembling the true shrimps
- a very small or puny person or thing
- to fish for or catch shrimps
shrimp·er ['shrim-pər, esp Southern 'srim-] -n
- a shrimp fisherman
- a boat engaged in shrimping
shrine ['shrīn, esp Southern 'srīn] -n
- a case, box, or receptacle
- one in which sacred relics (as the bones of a saint) are deposited
- a place in which devotion is paid to a saint or deity : sanctuary
- a niche containing a religious image
- a receptacle (as a tomb) for the dead
- a place or object hallowed by its associations
- enshrine
Shrin·er ['shrī-nər, esp Southern 'srī-] -n
- a member of a secret fraternal society that is non-Masonic but admits only Master Masons to membership
shrink ['shriŋk, esp Southern 'sriŋk] -vb, adj, n
- to contract or curl up the body or part of it : huddle, cower
- to contract to less extent or compass
- to become smaller or more compacted
- to lose substance or weight
- to lessen in value : dwindle
- to recoil instinctively (as from something painful or horrible)
- shrank from the challenge
- to hold oneself back : refrain
- did not shrink from telling the truth
- to cause to contract or shrink
- to compact (cloth) by causing to contract when subjected to washing, boiling, steaming, or other processes
- the act of shrinking
- shrinkage
- a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist
shrink·age ['shriŋ-kij, esp Southern 'sriŋ-] -n
- the act or process of shrinking
- the loss in weight of livestock during shipment and in the process of preparing the meat for consumption
- the loss of goods esp. by theft
- the amount lost by shrinkage
shrinking violet -n
- a bashful or retiring person
shrinkwrap ['shriŋk-,rap, esp Southern 'sriŋk-] -vt, n
- to wrap (as a book or meat) in tough clear plastic film that is then shrunk (as by heating) to form a tightly fitting package
shrive ['shrīv, esp Southern 'srīv] -vb
- to administer the sacrament of reconciliation to
- to free from guilt
- to confess one's sins esp. to a priest
shriv·el ['shri-vəl, esp Southern 'sri-] -vb
- to draw into wrinkles esp. with a loss of moisture
- to become reduced to inanition, helplessness, or inefficiency
- dwindle
- to cause to shrivel
shroff ['shräf, 'shrȯf, esp Southern 'sräf, 'srȯf] -n
- a banker or money changer in the Far East
- one who tests and evaluates coin
Shrop·shire ['shräp-,shir, -shər, esp US -,shī(-ə)r, esp Southern 'sräp-] -n
- any of a breed of dark-faced hornless sheep of English origin that are raised for both mutton and wool
shroud ['shrau̇d, esp Southern 'srau̇d] -n
- shelter, protection
- : something that covers, screens, or guards: as
- one of two flanges that give peripheral support to turbine or fan bedding
- a usu. fiberglass guard that protects a spacecraft from the heat of launching
- burial garment : winding-sheet, cerement
- one of the ropes leading usu. in pairs from a ship's mastheads to give lateral support to the masts
- one of the cords that suspend the harness of a parachute from the canopy
- to cover for protection
- conceal
- to cut off from view : obscure
- this point is shroud ed in uncertainty -- Henry James
- to veil under another appearance (as by obscuring or disguising)
- shroud ed the decision in a series of formalities
- to dress for burial
- to seek shelter
Shrove·tide ['shrōv-,tīd, esp Southern 'srōv-] -n
- the period usu. of three days immediately preceding Ash Wednesday
Shrove Tuesday ['shrōv-, esp Southern 'srōv-] -n
- the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday
shrub ['shrəb, esp Southern 'srəb] -n
- a low usu. several-stemmed woody plant
- an aged blend of fruit juice, sugar, and spirits served chilled and diluted with water
- a beverage made by adding acidulated fruit juice to iced water
shrub·bery ['shrə-b(ə-)rē, esp Southern 'srə-] -n
- a planting or growth of shrubs
shrub·by ['shrə-bē, esp Southern 'srə-] -adj
- consisting of or covered with shrubs
- resembling a shrub
shrub·land ['shrəb-,land, esp Southern 'srəb-] -n
- land on which shrubs are the dominant vegetation
shrug ['shrəg, esp Southern 'srəg] -vb
- to raise or draw in the shoulders esp. to express aloofness, indifference, or uncertainty
- to lift or contract (the shoulders) esp. to express aloofness, indifference, or uncertainty
- an act of shrugging
- a woman's small waist-length or shorter jacket
shrug off -vt
- to shake off
- to brush aside : minimize
- to remove (a garment) by wriggling out
shtetl ['shte-tᵊl, 'shtā-] -n
- a small Jewish town or village formerly found in Eastern Europe
shtick ['shtik] -n, adj
- a usu. comic or repetitious performance or routine : bit
- one's special trait, interest, or activity : bag
- he's alive and well and now doing his shtick out in Hollywood -- Robert Daley
shuck ['shək] -n
- : shell, husk: as
- the outer covering of a nut or of Indian corn
- the shell of an oyster or clam
- something of little value usu. used in pl.
- to strip of shucks
- to peel off (as clothing) often used with off
- to lay aside often used with off
- bad habits are being shuck ed off -- A. W. Smith
shucks ['shəks] -interj
- used esp. to express mild disappointment or embarrassment
shud·der ['shə-dər] -vi
- to tremble convulsively : shiver, quiver
shudder [-d(ə-)rē] -n, adj
- an act of shuddering
shuf·fle ['shə-fəl] -vb, n
- to mix in a mass confusedly : jumble
- to put or thrust aside or under cover
- shuffled the whole matter out of his mind
- to rearrange (as playing cards, dominoes, or tiles) to produce a random order
- to move about, back and forth, or from one place to another : shift
- shuffle funds among various accounts
- to move (as the feet) by sliding along or back and forth without lifting
- to perform (as a dance) with a dragging, sliding step
- to work into or out of trickily
- shuffled out of the difficulty
- to act or speak in a shifty or evasive manner
- to move or walk in a sliding dragging manner without lifting the feet
- to dance in a lazy nonchalant manner with sliding and tapping motions of the feet
- to execute in a perfunctory or clumsy manner
- to mix playing cards or counters by shuffling
shuffle -n
- an evasion of the issue : equivocation
- an act of shuffling (as of cards)
- a right or turn to shuffle
- a confusing jumble (as of papers or events)
- a dragging sliding movement
- a sliding or scraping step in dancing
- a dance characterized by such a step
- a rhythm where each beat of the measure is played as a triplet with the first and second parts of the triplet tied and the third part accented
- music played in a shuffle rhythm
shuf·fle·board ['shə-fəl-,bȯrd] -n
- a game in which players use long-handled cues to shove disks into scoring areas of a diagram marked on a smooth surface
- a diagram on which shuffleboard is played
shul ['shu̇l] -n
- synagogue
shun ['shən] -vt, n
- to avoid deliberately and esp. habitually
shun·pike ['shən-,pīk] -n
- a side road used to avoid the toll on or the speed and traffic of a superhighway
shunt ['shənt] -vb, n
- to turn off to one side : shift
- to switch (as a train) from one track to another
- to provide with or divert by means of an electrical shunt
- to divert (blood) from one part to another by a surgical shunt
- shuttle
- shunt ed the missiles from shelter to shelter
- to move to the side
- to travel back and forth
- shunt ed between the two towns
- : a means or mechanism for turning or thrusting aside: as
- a railroad switch
- a conductor joining two points in an electrical circuit so as to form a parallel or alternative path through which a portion of the current may pass (as for regulating the amount passing in the main circuit)
- a surgical passage created to divert a bodily fluid (as blood) from one vessel or part to another
- a device (as a narrow tube) used to establish a similar passage
- an accident (as a collision between two cars) esp. in auto racing
shush ['shəsh, 'shu̇sh] -vt, n
- to urge to be quiet : hush
shut ['shət] -vb
- to move into position to close an opening
- to prevent entrance to or passage to or from
- to confine by or as if by enclosure
- shut herself in her study
- to fasten with a lock or bolt
- to close by bringing enclosing or covering parts together
- to cause to cease or suspend an operation or activity often used with down
- to close itself or become closed
- flowers that shut at night
- to cease or suspend an operation or activity often used with down
- closed, fastened, or folded together
- rid, clear, free usu. used with of
- the act of shutting
shut·down ['shət-,dau̇n] -n
- the cessation or suspension of an operation or activity
shut down -vi
- to settle so as to obscure vision : close in
- the night shut down early
- to make ineffective in competition
- shut down the opposition's offensive line
shute ['shüt] -n
(variant of chute)
- fall
- a quick descent (as in a river) : rapid
- an inclined plane, sloping channel, or passage down or through which things may pass : slide
- parachute
- spinnaker
- to convey by a chute
- to go in or as if in a chute
- to utilize a chute (as by passing ore down it)
shuteye ['shət-,ī] -n
- sleep
shutin ['shət-,in] -n
- a person who is confined to home, a room, or bed because of illness or incapacity
- a narrow gorge-shaped part of an otherwise wide valley
- available oil or gas which is not being produced from an existing well
- confined to one's home or an institution by illness or incapacity
- secretive, brooding
- a bitter, shutin face -- Claudia Cassidy
- tending to avoid social contact : withdrawn
- the shutin personality type -- S. K. Weinberg
shut in -vt
- confine, enclose
- to prevent production of (oil or gas) by closing down a well
shut·off ['shət-,ȯf] -n
- something (as a valve) that shuts off
- stoppage, interruption
shut off -vt
- to close off : separate usu. used with from
- shut off from the rest of the world
- to cut off (as flow or passage) : stop
- shuts off the oxygen supply
- to stop the operation of (as a machine)
- to cease operating : stop
shut·out ['shət-,au̇t] -n
- a game or contest in which one side fails to score
- a preemptive bid in bridge
shut out -vt
- exclude
- to prevent (an opponent) from scoring in a game or contest
- to forestall the bidding of (bridge opponents) by making a high or preemptive bid
shut·ter ['shə-tər] -n, adj
- one that shuts
- a usu. movable cover or screen for a window or door
- a mechanical device that limits the passage of light
- a camera component that allows light to enter by opening and closing an aperture
- the movable louvers in a pipe organ by which the swell box is opened
shutter -vt
- to close by or as if by shutters
- corporations shutter ing their production plants
- to furnish with shutters
shut·ter·bug ['shə-tər-,bəg] -n
- a photography enthusiast
shut·tle ['shə-tᵊl] -n, adj
- a device used in weaving for passing the thread of the weft between the threads of the warp
- a spindle-shaped device holding the thread in tatting, knotting, or netting
- a sliding thread holder for the lower thread of a sewing machine that carries the lower thread through a loop of the upper thread to make a stitch
- shuttlecock
- a going back and forth regularly over an often short route by a vehicle
- an established route used in a shuttle
- a vehicle used in a shuttle
- space shuttle
shuttle ['shət-liŋ, 'shə-tᵊl-iŋ] -vb
- to cause to move or travel back and forth frequently
- to transport in, by, or as if by a shuttle
- to move or travel back and forth frequently
- to move by or as if by a shuttle
shut·tle·cock ['shə-tᵊl-,käk] -n
- a lightweight conical object with a rounded often rubber-covered nose that is used in badminton
shuttlecock -vt
- to send or toss to and fro : bandy
shuttle diplomacy -n
- negotiations esp. between nations carried on by an intermediary who shuttles back and forth between the disputants
shut up -vt
- to cause (a person) to stop talking
- to cease writing or speaking
shy ['shī] -adj, adv, n
- easily frightened : timid
- disposed to avoid a person or thing
- hesitant in committing oneself : circumspect
- sensitively diffident or retiring : reserved
- expressive of such a state or nature
- secluded, hidden
- having less than the full or specified amount or number : short
- just shy of six feet tall
- disreputable
- gambling hells and shy saloons -- Blackwood's
- to develop or show a dislike or distaste usu. used with from or away from
- an author who shies away from publicity
- to start suddenly aside through fright or alarm
- a sudden start aside (as from fright)
- to make a sudden throw
- to throw (an object) with a jerk : fling
- the act of shying : toss, throw
- a verbal fling or attack
- cockshy
shy·lock ['shī-,läk] -n
- the Jewish usurer and antagonist of Antonio in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
- loan shark
shylock -vi
- to lend money at high rates of interest
- expose of systematic thievery...shylock ing, and murder -- Current Biog.
shy·ster ['shīs-tər] -n
- a person who is professionally unscrupulous esp. in the practice of law or politics : pettifogger