7 → see also sheltered
shel|tered /ʃe ltə r d/
1 ADJ A sheltered place is protected from wind and rain. □ …a shallow-sloping beach next to a sheltered bay.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has led a sheltered life, you mean that they have been protected from difficult or unpleasant experiences. □ Perhaps I've just led a really sheltered life.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Sheltered accommodation or work is designed people who are old or who have a disability. It allows them to be independent but also allows them to get help when they need it. □ For the last few years I have been living in sheltered accommodation.
4 → see also shelter
shelve /ʃe lv/ (shelves , shelving , shelved )
1 VERB If someone shelves a plan or project, they decide not to continue with it, either for a while or permanently. □ [V n] Atlanta has shelved plans to include golf in the 1996 Games. □ [be V -ed] Sadly, the project has now been shelved.
2 VERB If an area of ground next to or under the sea shelves , it slopes downwards. □ [V adv/prep] The shoreline shelves away steeply. □ [V -ing] …a gently shelving beach.
3 Shelves is the plural of shelf .
shelv|ing /ʃe lv I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Shelving is a set of shelves, or material which is used for making shelves. □ …the shelving on the long, windowless wall.
she|nani|gans /ʃ I næ n I gənz/ N‑PLURAL You can use shenanigans to refer to rather dishonest or immoral behaviour, especially when you think it is amusing or interesting. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the private shenanigans of public figures.
shep|herd /ʃe pə r d/ (shepherds , shepherding , shepherded )
1 N‑COUNT A shepherd is a person, especially a man, whose job is to look after sheep.
2 VERB [usu passive] If you are shepherded somewhere, someone takes you there to make sure that you arrive at the right place safely. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] She was shepherded by her guards up the rear ramp of the aircraft.
shep|herd|ess /ʃe pə r des/ (shepherdesses ) N‑COUNT A shepherdess is a woman whose job is to look after sheep.
she p|herd's pie (shepherd's pies ) N‑VAR Shepherd's pie is a dish consisting of minced meat, usually lamb, covered with a layer of mashed potato. [BRIT ]
sher|bet /ʃɜː r bət/ (sherbets )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Sherbet is a sweet dry powder that tastes fizzy and is eaten as a sweet. [BRIT ] □ …sherbet dips.
2 N‑VAR Sherbet is like ice cream but made with fruit juice, sugar, and water. [AM ] □ …lemon sherbet. in BRIT, use sorbet
sher|iff /ʃe r I f/ (sheriffs )
1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In the United States, a sheriff is a person who is elected to make sure that the law is obeyed in a particular county. □ …the local sheriff.
2 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In Scotland, a sheriff is a legal officer whose chief duty is to act as judge in a Sheriff Court. These courts deal with all but the most serious crimes and with most civil actions. □ …the presiding judge, Sheriff John Mowatt.
3 N‑COUNT In England and Wales, the Sheriff of a city or county is a person who is elected or appointed to carry out mainly ceremonial duties. □ [+ of ] …the Sheriff of Oxford.
sher|ry /ʃe ri/ (sherries ) N‑VAR Sherry is a type of strong wine that is made in south-western Spain. It is usually drunk before a meal. □ I poured us a glass of sherry. □ …some of the world's finest sherries. ● N‑COUNT A glass of sherry can be referred to as a sherry . □ I'll have a sherry please.
she's /ʃiːz, ʃ I z/
1 She's is the usual spoken form of 'she is'. □ She's an exceptionally good cook. □ She's having a baby in October.
2 She's is a spoken form of 'she has', especially when 'has' is an auxiliary verb. □ She's been married for seven years and has two daughters.
shh /ʃ/ → see sh
shi|at|su /ʃiːæ tsuː/ N‑UNCOUNT Shiatsu is a form of massage that is used to cure illness and reduce pain.
shib|bo|leth /ʃ I bəleθ/ (shibboleths ) N‑COUNT If you describe an idea or belief as a shibboleth , you mean that it is thought important by a group of people but may be old-fashioned or wrong. [FORMAL ] □ It is time to go beyond the shibboleth that conventional forces cannot deter.
shield /ʃiː ld/ (shields , shielding , shielded )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Something or someone which is a shield against a particular danger or risk provides protection from it. □ He used his left hand as a shield against the reflecting sunlight.
2 VERB If something or someone shields you from a danger or risk, they protect you from it. □ [V n + from ] He shielded his head from the sun with an old sack.
3 VERB If you shield your eyes, you put your hand above your eyes to protect them from direct sunlight. □ [V n] He squinted and shielded his eyes.
4 N‑COUNT A shield is a large piece of metal or leather which soldiers used to carry to protect their bodies while they were fighting.
5 N‑COUNT A shield is a sports prize or badge that is shaped like a shield.
shift ◆◇◇ /ʃ I ft/ (shifts , shifting , shifted )
1 VERB If you shift something or if it shifts , it moves slightly. □ [V n prep/adv] He stopped, shifting his cane to his left hand. □ [V prep/adv] He shifted from foot to foot. □ [V ] The entire pile shifted and slid, thumping onto the floor. □ [V n] …the squeak of his boots in the snow as he shifted his weight.