nutshell

nutshell
nutshell (n.) c.1200, nute-scalen; see NUT (Cf. nut) + SHELL (Cf. shell) (n.). Figurative use with reference to "great condensation" (1570s) supposedly originally is a reference to a copy of the "Iliad," mentioned by Pliny, which was so small it could fit into the shell of a nut.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Nutshell — Nut shell , n. 1. The shell or hard external covering in which the kernel of a nut is inclosed. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence, a thing of little compass, or of little value. [1913 Webster] 3. (Zo[ o]l.) A shell of the genus Nucula. [1913 Webster] {in a …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nutshell — ► NOUN ▪ the hard woody covering around the kernel of a nut. ● in a nutshell Cf. ↑in a nutshell …   English terms dictionary

  • nutshell — [nut′shel΄] n. the shell enclosing the kernel of a nut in a nutshell in brief or concise form; in a few words …   English World dictionary

  • Nutshell — est la 2e piste du troisième album (Jar of Flies) de Alice in Chains, qui signifie coquille en français. Les paroles racontent le désespoir et la solitude d un homme qui à la fin de la chanson préfère mourir plutôt que de ne plus être lui même.… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Nutshell — For other uses, see Nutshell (disambiguation). Korean Pine nuts shelled, and shell, above; unshelled, below A nutshell is the outer shell of a nut. Most nutshells are inedible and are removed before eating the nut meat inside. Contents …   Wikipedia

  • nutshell — n. (colloq.) brief form in a nutshell (to put smt. in a nutshell) ( to state smt. very succinctly ) * * * [ nʌtʃel] (colloq.) [ brief form ] in a nutshell ( to state smt. very succinctly ; to put smt. in a nutshell) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • nutshell — [[t]nʌ̱tʃel[/t]] PHRASE: usu PHR with cl You can use in a nutshell to indicate that you are saying something in a very brief way, using few words. In a nutshell, the owners thought they knew best... This, in a nutshell, is what Richard Chaplin… …   English dictionary

  • nutshell — UK [ˈnʌtˌʃel] / US noun [countable] Word forms nutshell : singular nutshell plural nutshells the hard shell around a nut • in a nutshell …   English dictionary

  • nutshell — /nut shel /, n. 1. the shell of a nut. 2. in a nutshell, in very brief form; in a few words: Just tell me the story in a nutshell. [1175 1225; ME nutescell; see NUT, SHELL] * * * …   Universalium

  • nutshell — nut|shell [ˈnʌt ʃel] n 1.) in a nutshell used when you are stating the main facts about something in a short, clear way ▪ Okay, that s our proposal in a nutshell. Any questions? 2.) the hard outer part of a nut …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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