Shelter — Defs

01 n. That which covers or defends from injury or annoyance; a protection; a screen.

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.

Phrases & compounds

Shelter tent — a small tent made of pieces of cotton duck arranged to button together. In field service the soldiers carry the pieces.

02 v. t. To be a shelter for; to provide with a shelter; to cover from injury or annoyance; to shield; to protect.

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.

03 v. i. To take shelter.

1.
To take shelter.
“There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, Shelters in cool.” — Milton.