shelter

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English sheltron, sheldtrume (“roof or wall formed by locked shields”), from Old English sċildtruma, sċyldtruma (“a phalanx, company (of troops), a tortoise, a covering, shed, shelter”, literally “shield-troop”), from sċyld, sċield (“shield”) + truma (“a troop of soldiers”). Cognate with Scots schilthrum, schiltrum. More at shield, and Old English trymman (“to strengthen”), from trum (“strong, firm”) at trim. Doublet of sheltron (a kind of military formation), which is the more conservative of the two. === Pronunciation === (non-rhotic) (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈʃɛltə/, [ˈʃʰɛltʰə] (rhotic) (General American, Canada, Ireland) IPA(key): /ˈʃɛltɚ/, [ˈʃʰɛltʰɚ] ~ [ˈʃʰɛltʰɹ̩] Rhymes: -ɛltə(ɹ) Hyphenation: shel‧ter Homophone: Shelta (non-rhotic) === Noun === shelter (plural shelters) (countable) Somewhere one can find protection. A place where a person or animal may find protection from the elements (especially rain, storms, or cold) sometimes as a place to sleep (such as a cave). (usually as the head in compounds) A bare-bones above-ground structure meant to provide temporary cover from the elements; usually small and with no door to close. A place for protection from deadly conditions outside, including military assault; usually partly or fully underground. A refuge, sanctuary, or (by metonymy) institution that provides temporary housing or a place to sleep for those in need or in danger. Synonym: home (in compounds) (often with the definite article) An animal shelter. (uncountable) That which provides protection or cover. (uncountable, abstract) The state of being protected or shielded. ==== Usage notes ==== The countable noun shelter has accumulated a variety of specialized meanings that all fall within the general sense of "something that provides protection". Usually, the countable use of shelter is used in implicit reference to one of the specialized senses of shelter (such as an animal shelter, homeless shelter, bomb shelter, etc.). ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === Verb === shelter (third-person singular simple present shelters, present participle sheltering, simple past and past participle sheltered) (transitive) To provide cover from damage or harassment; to shield; to protect. (intransitive) To take cover. ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === Ehlerts, Hertels, Shetler, Strehle, helters, three Ls