SHELKY. A name for the seal in the Shetland Isles.
SHELL. In artillery, a hollow iron shot containing explosive materials, whether spherical, elongated, eccentric, &c., and destined to burst at the required instant by the action of its [fuse] (which see).—Common shells are filled with powder only, those fired from mortars being spherical, and having a thickness of about one-sixth of their diameter. (See also [Segment-shell] and [Shrapnel Shell].) Also, the hard calcareous external covering of the mollusca, crustacea, and echinoderms.
SHELL-FISH. A general term applied to aquatic animals having a hard external covering or shell, as whelks, oysters, lobsters, &c. These are not, however, properly speaking, fish.
SHELLING. The act of bombarding a fort, town, or position.
SHELL OF A BLOCK. The outer frame or case wherein the sheave or wheel is contained and traverses about its axis.
SHELL-ROOM. An important compartment in ships of war, fitted up with strong shelves to receive the shells when charged.
SHELL, SHRAPNEL. See [Shrapnel Shell].
SHELVES. A general name given to any dangerous shallows, sand-banks, or rocks, lying immediately under the surface of the water.
SHELVING. A term expressive of step-like rocks lying in nearly horizontal strata, or inclining very gradually; as a "shelving bottom," or a "shelving land." Applied to the shore, it means that it ascends from the sea, and passes under it at an extremely low angle, so that vessels of draught cannot approach.
SHERE. An archaic sea-term for running aground.