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shingles
Shetland 'pony n a type of very small horse, originally from the Shetland Islands, that has rough hair and short legs
Shetland 'sheepdog n a breed of SHEEPDOG which originally came from the Shetland Islands and which looks like, but is smaller than, the COLLIE
shew /ʃəʊ/ v shewed, shewn /ʃəʊn/ [i;T] old use old use to show
shh also ssh /ʃ/ interj 1 (used for demanding silence or less noise): 'Shh! You sound like a herd of elephants!' 2 shh/schh, you know who ... an advertising SLOGAN used for many years for Schweppes ® drinks
Shi-a, Shiah /'ʃi:ə/ n 1 the Shiah the Shiite branch of the Muslim religion 2 [C] a Shiite
shi-a-tsu /ʃi'ɑ:tsu:/ n [U] an ancient Japanese form of treatment which uses pressure on many different places on the body to prevent illness and to treat disorders such as headaches, backaches, and emotional problems. In the West it is considered a form of ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE ➔ compare ACUPRESSURE, ACUPUNCTURE
shib-bo-leth /'ʃibələθl-lȜθ/ n a once-important or widely accepted custom or principle which no longer has much meaning
shield¹ /'ʃi:ld/ n 1 a broad piece of metal, wood, or strong plastic that is carried (e.g. by soldiers in former times, or by policemen) as a protection against being hit: The police were equipped with riot shields. 2 a representation of a shield, usually wide at the top and curving to a point at the bottom, used for a COAT OF ARMS, a BADGE, a prize in sport etc 3 a protective cover, especially on a machine ➔ see also HEAT SHIELD, WINDSHIELD
shield² v [T(from)] to protect or hide from harm or danger through action to defend oneself: She lied to the police to shield her friend. | He raised his arm to shield himself from the blow.
Shields, Brooke /'ʃi:ldz/ (1965–) a US MODEL and actress who started this work when she was still a child and became famous when she was still a TEENAGER. She is known for having thick EYEBROWS and being quite tall. She was married to tennis player Andre Agassi for several years. Her films include The Blue Lagoon and Endless Love, and she has also been in the television programme Suddenly Susan.
Shields, Carol (1935–2003) a US born Canadian writer who wrote stories about the daily lives of ordinary people, but which also deal with difficult and complicated THEMES (=the main subject or idea in a book etc). Her books include Swann, Larry's Party, and The Stone Diaries, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1995.
shift¹ /'ʃift/ v 1 [i;T] to change in position or direction; move from one place to another: He shifted impatiently in his seat during the long speech. | There were four of us trying to lift the heavy box, but we couldn't shift it. | The wind shifted and blew the mist away. | (fig.) Don't try to shift the blame onto me. | (fig.) The recent hijacking has shifted attention away from internal problems. 2 [T] especially BrE to get rid of or remove: a new washing powder that will shift any stain | The thieves couldn't shift (=sell) any of those stolen colour televisions. 3 [I] BrE infml to move very fast: That motorbike was really shifting! 4 [i;T] especially AmE to change the GEARS when you are driving: I shifted into top gear. 5 shift for oneself old-fash to take care of oneself; live as well as one can by one's own efforts: He's had to shift for himself since his mother died.
Shift is rather informal in the meaning of 'move or remove something'. Compare Will you shift that car? and Could you possibly move your car, please?
shift² n 1 [(in)] a change in position, direction, or character: There's been a shift in the wind/in political opinion. | the gradual shift of workers away from manufacturing and towards the service industries 2 a) [+sing./pl. v] a group of workers which takes turns with one or more other groups: The night shift arrives/arrive at six o'clock. b) the period of time worked by such a group: I'm on day shift this week. | shift workers 3 a) a loosefitting straight simple woman's dress b) old use a woman's dresslike undergarment 4 [usually pl.] old-fash a trick or method used in a time of difficulty; EXPEDIENT 5 make shift (with) old-fash to use what can be found because one lacks anything better ➔ see also GEAR LEVER, MAKESHIFT, STICK SHIFT
'shift key n the KEY on a KEYBOARD (e.g. of a TYPEWRITER) which is pressed in order to print a capital letter
shift-less /'ʃiftləs/ adj lazy and lacking the desire to succeed —ly adv —ness n [U]
'shift stick n AmE for GEAR LEVER ➔ see also STICK SHIFT
shift-y /'ʃifti/ adj infml looking dishonest; not to be trusted; FURTIVE: shifty eyes | a shifty little man —ily adv —iness n [U]
Shi-ite, Shi'ite /'ʃi:ait/ n a Muslim belonging to the second-largest religious group in Islam, which follows the teaching of Muhammad's COUSIN Ali and the leaders that came after him. Shi'ites live mostly in Iran, Lebanon, and parts of India and Pakistan. ➔ compare SUNNI —Shiite adj: a Shiite mosque
Shi-ko-ku /ʃi'kəʊku:ʃi'kɔ:-/ the smallest of Japan's four main islands
shil-le-lagh /ʃi'leilə/ n an Irish weapon like a thick, heavy stick, often referred to as being something typically Irish
shil-ling /'ʃilɪŋ/ n 1 (a silver-coloured coin worth) an amount of money in use in Britain until 1971, equal to 12 old pence and 1/20 of £1 2 a unit of money in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Somalia, equal to 100 cents 3 look as though one has lost a shilling and found sixpence BrE infml to look rather unhappy
shil-ly-shal-ly /'ʃili 'ʃæli/ v [I] infml derog to waste time without reaching a decision or taking action
shim-mer /'ʃimər/ v [I] to shine with a soft trembling light: The water shimmered in the moonlight. —shimmer n [U] the shimmer of the desert air in the midday heat
shim-my /'ʃimi/ v [I] to move forwards or backwards while also quickly moving slightly from side to side
shin¹ /ʃin/ n the bony front part of the leg between the knee and ankle
shin² BrE || shinny AmE — v -nn- [I+adv/prep] to climb up or down a tree, pole etc, especially quickly and easily, using the hands and legs: She shinned up a tree to get a better view. | to shin down a drainpipe
shin-bone /'ʃinbən/ also tibia med — n the front bone in the leg below the knee
shin-dig /'ʃindig/ n old-fash infml 1 a noisy party, dance etc 2 a noisy quarrel or disagreement
shine¹ /'ʃain/ v shone /ʃɒn||oʊn/ 1 [I] to produce light: It was a fine morning with the sun shining (down). | They must be at home – there's a light shining in the bedroom. | (fig.) His honesty shines through. (=He is very clearly honest.) 2 [I] to REFLECT (=throw back) light; be bright: The polished surface shone in the sun. | She brushed her hair till it shone. | (fig.) eyes shining with happiness 3 [T+obj+adv/prep] to direct (a lamp, beam of light etc): He shone a light in my eyes/shone a torch into the cave. 4 [T(past tense & participle shined)] to polish; make bright by rubbing: Shine your shoes before going out. 5 [I not in progressive forms] to be clearly excellent (at a skill, school subject etc): He's a pretty good student, but sports are where he really shines.
shine² n [S] 1 brightness, especially caused by REFLECTION; shining quality: The wooden surface had a beautiful shine. 2 an act of polishing, especially of shoes: These shoes need a shine. 3 take a shine to someone infml to start to like someone as soon as one has met them, especially without any clear reason ➔ see also (come) rain or shine (RAIN)
shin-gle¹ /'ʃingəl/ n [U] small unevenly rounded pieces of stone, larger than GRAVEL, covering large areas of seashore —gly adj: a shingly beach
shingle² n 1 a small thin piece of building material, especially wood, laid in rows to cover a roof or wall 2 hang out one's shingle AmE to start a business for oneself: When I get my law degree I'm going to hang out my shingle in my old home town.
shin-gled /'ʃingəld/ adj (of a roof or wall) covered with shingles
shin-gles /'ʃingəlz/ n [U] a disease caused by an infection of certain nerves and producing usually painful red spots, often in a band round the waist