释义 |
shel·ter I. \ˈsheltə(r)\ noun (-s) Usage: often attributive Etymology: origin unknown 1. a. : something that covers or affords protection especially from the elements : something that provides refuge or defense (as from injury, exposure, observation, attack, pursuit, danger, or annoyance) : a means or place of protection : an area of safety : refuge, screen b. : a structure (as a small building in a park) used as a refuge in bad weather c. : a structure or dugout affording protection to troops in the field d. : an area or a specially constructed structure for refuge and protection from bombs, radiation, and other features of air attack < an air raid shelter > < bomb shelters > e. : housing 3; especially : temporary housing f. : a covering (as a box or cage) used to protect an object < instrument shelter > g. : an establishment to shelter the homeless: as (1) : a Salvationist institution operated for the homeless (2) : an institutional home (as for delinquent or neglected children or unmarried mothers) h. : protection from bad weather (as by trees or walls) < the trees afforded shade and shelter — Willa Cather > 2. : the state of being covered and protected (as from the elements) : protection < I took shelter under a shed — Nora Waln > < the witness refuses to answer under the shelter of the Fifth Amendment — E.N.Griswold > II. verb (sheltered ; sheltered ; sheltering \-ltəriŋ, -l.tr-\ ; shelters) transitive verb 1. : to constitute or provide a shelter for: as a. : to screen or protect from the elements < the pedimented facade shelters a niched figure — American Guide Series: Maryland > < a light awning … to shelter the observer from the wind — Topographic Surveying > b. : to afford protection from something held to resemble unfavorable weather : shield from injury, attack, pursuit, annoyance, censure, punishment, or notice < the defenders were … sheltered by the walls — Tom Wintringham > < women are sheltered … by the men of their families — Lois Long > < a sheltered life > c. : to provide with a home, security, refuge, temporary accommodation, or protection : harbor < building that shelters the rare and extensive … collection — American Guide Series: Oregon > < no other small community … has sheltered so many noteworthy American writers — American Guide Series: New Hampshire > 2. : to place under shelter or protection : betake to cover or refuge : take to a safe place < shelter myself in the crannies of the rocks — Margaret A. Barnes > < every American political party … has sheltered itself behind the Supreme Court — Felix Frankfurter > intransitive verb : to take shelter : find refuge or cover < if you must shelter under a tree — G.H.T.Kimble > < refugees … came here to shelter from trouble — Han Suyin > < a long annex … in which the animals shelter at night — Wilfred Thesiger > |