nutshell

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English notschelle, from Old English hnutsċiell, from Proto-West Germanic *hnutskallju, equivalent to nut +‎ shell. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Nuteskele, Nuteskil (“nutshell”), Dutch notenschaal (“nutshell”), German Nussschale (“nutshell”). (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “needs more explanation on sense 2”) === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈnʌt.ʃɛl/ === Noun === nutshell (plural nutshells) The shell that surrounds the kernel of a nut. c. 1515–1516, published 1568, John Skelton, Againſt venemous tongues enpoyſoned with ſclaunder and falſe detractions &c.: For men be now tratlers and tellers of tales;What tidings at Totnam, what newis in Wales,What ſhippis are ſailing to Scalis Malis?And all is not worth a couple of nut ſhalis. A short book summarizing an area of law. (nautical) A small boat; a boat considered small in comparison to the seas. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === nutshell (third-person singular simple present nutshells, present participle nutshelling, simple past and past participle nutshelled) (transitive) To summarize (from the term in a nutshell).