shell-less

adjective

Lacking a shell.

Similar
unshelled
OriginProto-Germanic *lausaz ← Proto-Indo-European *lewHs- ← English shell →
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Meanings

adjectiveshell-less (not comparable)

alternative shelless · alternative proscribed shellless

  1. not comparableLacking a shell.
  2. not comparableUnprotected, vulnerable.

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveof animals or fruits that have no shell

Similar
unshelled
Also see
unshelled

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*(s)kelH-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*skol-yeh₂
  3. Proto-Germanic*skaljō
  4. Proto-West Germanic*skallju
  5. Old Englishsċiell
  6. Middle Englishschelle
  7. Englishshell
  8. Proto-Indo-European*lewh₁-
  9. Proto-Indo-European*lewHs-
  10. Proto-Germanic*leusaną
  11. Proto-Germanic*lausaz
  12. Englishshell-less

From shell + -less.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish kuoreton
  • kuoretonlacking a shell
Hebrew פגיע
  • פגיעunprotected, vulnerable
Polish bezskorupowy
  • bezskorupowylacking a shell
Cite this entry
APA

shell-less. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shell-less

MLA

“shell-less.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shell-less. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “shell-less,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/shell-less.

Source: shell-less on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.