shelter English · revision 6646

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=derivation|attested=1585}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈʃɛltə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈʃɛltɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is uncertain.^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) It is possibly an alteration of [[enm|sheltron|t=a roof or wall of locked shields; a troop in close formation]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|ang|scieldtruma]], from [[m|ang|scield|t=shield]] (see [[shield]]) and [[m|ang|truma|t=troop]];^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) the original idea would be a body of men protected by their interlocked shields.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The OED finds this untenable because of a gap in the record, and suggests shield with the suffix -ture.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A structure giving protection from rain, wind or sun: 1585.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A refuge from danger or pursuit is from 1605,^(OED 1989) and the state of being sheltered from 1593.^(OED 1989) The verb, to screen or protect, is from 1590, in Spenser's ''Faerie Queene'',^(Barnhart 1988) and to take shelter from the 1590s.^(Etymonline) A temporary lodging for the homeless poor is recorded by 1890 in Salvation Army use,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a home for stray animals from 1971.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The ''tax shelter'', protecting income from taxation, is by 1955.^(Etymonline) The air-raid shelter is a 20th-century use.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1585 – a protective structure.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1590 – the verb, in Spenser.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1593 – the state of being sheltered.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1890 – a shelter for the homeless.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1955 – tax shelter.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1971 – an animal shelter.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A place or structure giving protection from weather or danger.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Protection; [[refuge]]: ''took shelter from the rain''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A place providing food and lodging for homeless people, or for abandoned animals.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A means of reducing tax.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To protect or provide refuge for.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To take cover.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[shelterer]]

+ * [[shelterless]]

+ * [[shelteringly]]

+ * [[shelterlessness]]

+ * [[shelterbelt]]

+ * [[air-raid shelter]]

+ * [[bomb shelter]]

+ * [[shelter deck]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[shield]]

+ * [[sheltron]]

+ * [[sheltered]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}