ˈʃeltə n. & v. --n. 1
anything serving as a
shield or
protection from danger,
bad weather, etc. 2 a a
place of
refuge provided esp.
for the homeless etc. b US an
animal sanctuary. 3 a shielded
condition; protection (took shelter
under a tree). --v. 1 tr.
act or
serve as shelter
to;
protect;
conceal;
defend (sheltered
them from the
storm;
had a sheltered upbringing). 2 intr. & refl.
find refuge;
take cover (sheltered under a
tree; sheltered
themselves behind the wall). øshelter-belt a line of trees etc. planted to protect crops from the wind. øøshelterer n. shelterless adj. [16th
c.: perh. f. obs. sheltron
phalanx f. OE scieldtruma (as SHIELD, truma troop)]