First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1shed
verb \ˈshed\
shedshed·ding
Definition of SHED
transitive verb
1
chiefly dialect : to set apart : segregate
2
: to cause to be dispersed without penetrating <duck's plumage sheds water>
3
a : to cause (blood) to flow by cutting or wounding b : to pour forth in drops <shed tears> c : to give off or out <sheds some light on the subject>
4
: to give off, discharge, or expel from the body of a plant or animal: as a : to eject, slough off, or lose as part of the normal processes of life <a caterpillar shedding its skin> <a cat shedding hair> <a deciduous tree sheds its leaves in the fall> b : to discharge usually gradually especially as part of a pathological process <shed a virus in the feces>
5
: to rid oneself of temporarily or permanently as superfluous or unwanted <shed her inhibitions> <the company shed 100 jobs>
intransitive verb
1
: to pour out : spill
2
: to become dispersed : scatter
3
: to cast off some natural covering (as fur or skin) <the cat is shedding>
— shed blood
: to cause death by violence
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Origin of SHED
Middle English, to divide, separate, from Old English scēadan; akin to Old High German skeidan to separate, Latin scindere to split, cleave, Greek schizein to split
Synonym Discussion of SHED
discard, cast, shed, slough, scrap, junk mean to get rid of. discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless <discard old clothes>. cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation <cast off her friends>. shed and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal of vitality or luster <shed a bad habit> <finally sloughed off the depression>. scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form <scrap all the old ways> <would junk our educational system>.
2shed
noun
Definition of SHED
1
obsolete : distinction, difference
2
: something (as the skin of a snake) that is discarded in shedding
3
: a divide of land
First Known Use of SHED
12th century
3shed
noun
Definition of SHED
1
a : a slight structure built for shelter or storage; especially : a single-storied building with one or more sides unenclosed b : a building that resembles a shed
Origin of SHED
alteration of earlier shadde, probably from Middle English shade shade
First Known Use: 1557
4shed
transitive verb
shed·dedshed·ding
Definition of SHED
: to put or house in a shed
First Known Use of SHED
1850
SHED Defined for Kids
1shed
verb \ˈshed\
shedshed·ding
Definition of SHED for Kids
1
: to give off in drops <They shed tears of joy.>
2
: to get rid of <I'm trying to shed some extra pounds.>
3
: to give off or out <Your explanation shed light on the subject.>
4
: repel 3 <Raincoats shed water.>
5
: to lose or cast aside (a natural covering or part) <The dog is shedding hair.>
2shed
noun
Definition of SHED for Kids
: a small simple building used especially for storage
Medical Dictionary
shed
transitive verb \ˈshed\
shedshed·ding
Medical Definition of SHED
: to give off or out: as a : to lose as part of a natural process <shed the deciduous teeth> b : to discharge usually gradually from the body <exposed persons may shed virus from the oropharynx—D. R. Franz et al>
Learn More About SHED
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