Lexic.us

Definition of Shell out

1. Verb. Administer or bestow, as in small portions. "They shell out the people the food"; "The machine dispenses soft drinks"

Definition of Shell out

1. Verb. (idiomatic) To pay money, to disburse ; especially, to pay a great deal of money. ¹

2. Verb. (''computing'', especially Unix) To use a program's "shell escape" function to execute an unrelated command or to invoke a subsidiary, interactive shell. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Shell Out

Literary usage of Shell out

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Recreation by George O. Shields, American Canoe Association, League of American Sportsmen (1902)
"As the deer disappeared under the trees I sat down on the ground and attacked the gun. resolving to get that shell out or break the gun. ..."

2. A Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant: Embracing English, American, and Anglo by Albert Barrère, Charles Godfrey Leland (1890)
"Come, fork out, old Flint I . . shell out, old fellow!— Waters: Recollections of a Detective. ... It may be imagined I had to shell out pretty freely. ..."

3. The Boy's Own Book: A Complete Encyclopedia of All the Diversions, Athletic by William Clarke (1829)
"2, scuffles the shell out as before, and steps with one foot back to No. ... 3, and step into 1, 2, and 3, scuffle the shell out, and step back through the ..."

4. Boy's Own Book: A Complete Encyclopedia of Athletic, Scientific, Outdoor and by William Clarke (1881)
"2, scuffles the shell out as before, and steps with one foot back to No. ... 3, and step into 1, 2, and 3, scuffle the shell out, and step back through the ..."

5. Oliver Optic's Magazine by Oliver Optic (1875)
"I queried. '•shell out, I mean," laughed Bennett. " Is he in the shagbark business?" "Not exactly." " What's he going to shell out, then ? ..."

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