*shell¹/ʃɛl; ʃel/ n [C] 1 a) the hard outside part of a nut, egg, or seed 〔坚果、蛋或种子的〕壳，荚，外壳 b) the hard outside part that covers some animals, for example SNAILs and CRABs 〔某些动物的〕甲壳，介壳: The turtle put its head into its shell. 海龟把头缩进了壳里。 2 a metal container filled with explosive material, which is fired from a large gun 炮弹