First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1shuttle
noun shut·tle \ˈshə-təl\
: a vehicle that travels back and forth between places
: a pointed tool that is used to weave cloth by pulling a thread from side to side across other threads
Full Definition of SHUTTLE
1
a : a device used in weaving for passing the thread of the weft between the threads of the warp b : a spindle-shaped device holding the thread in tatting, knotting, or netting c : a sliding thread holder for the lower thread of a sewing machine that carries the lower thread through a loop of the upper thread to make a stitch
2
3
a : a going back and forth regularly over an often short route by a vehicle b (1) : an established route used in a shuttle (2) : a vehicle used in a shuttle <a shuttle bus> c : space shuttle
— shut·tle·less adjective
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Origin of SHUTTLE
Middle English shittle, shutle, from Old English scutel, scytel dart; akin to Old Norse skutill bolt, Old English scēotan to shoot — more at shoot
2shuttle
verb
: to travel back and forth between places
: to bring (people) back and forth between places
shut·tledshut·tling \ˈshət-liŋ, ˈshə-təl-iŋ\
Full Definition of SHUTTLE
transitive verb
1
: to cause to move or travel back and forth frequently
2
: to transport in, by, or as if by a shuttle <shuttled them to school>
intransitive verb
1
: to move or travel back and forth frequently
2
: to move by or as if by a shuttle
See shuttle defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SHUTTLE
1550
Rhymes with SHUTTLE
SHUTTLE Defined for Kids
1shuttle
noun shut·tle \ˈshə-təl\
Definition of SHUTTLE for Kids
1
: an instrument used in weaving to carry the thread back and forth from side to side through the threads that run lengthwise
2
: a vehicle (as a bus or train) that goes back and forth over a short route
3
2shuttle
verb
shut·tledshut·tling
Definition of SHUTTLE for Kids
: to move or bring back and forth rapidly or often <The ferry shuttled travelers across the river.>
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