Shelter word meaning and definition

[noun] a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
[noun] protective covering that provides protection from the weather
[noun] a way of organizing business to reduce the taxes it must pay on current earnings
[noun] the condition of being protected; "they were huddled together for protection"; "he enjoyed a sense of peace and protection in his new home"
[verb] provide shelter for; "After the earthquake, the government could not provide shelter for the thousands of homeless people"

\Shel"ter\, n. [Cf. OE. scheltrun, shiltroun, schelltrome, scheldtrome, a guard, squadron, AS. scildtruma a troop of men with shields; scild shield + truma a band of men. See {Shield}, n.] 1. That which covers or defends from injury or annoyance; a protection; a screen. The sick and weak the healing plant shall aid, From storms a shelter, and from heat a shade. --Pope. 2. One who protects; a guardian; a defender. Thou [God] hast been a shelter for me. --Ps. lxi. 3. 3. The state of being covered and protected; protection; security. Who into shelter takes their tender bloom. --Young. {Shelter tent},a small tent made of pieces of cotton duck arranged to button together. In field service the soldiers carry the pieces. Syn: Asylum; refuge; retreat; covert; sanctuary; protection; defense; security.
\Shel"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sheltered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sheltering}.] 1. To be a shelter for; to provide with a shelter; to cover from injury or annoyance; to shield; to protect. Those ruins sheltered once his sacred head. --Dryden. You have no convents . . . in which such persons may be received and sheltered. --Southey. 2. To screen or cover from notice; to disguise. In vain I strove to cheek my growing flame, Or shelter passion under friendship's name. --Prior. 3. To betake to cover, or to a safe place; -- used reflexively. They sheltered themselves under a rock. --Abp. Abbot.
\Shel"ter\, v. i. To take shelter. There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, Shelters in cool. --Milton.

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