Shed

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SHED; p. pr. & vb. n. SHED-DING.] [A-S. sceddan, O. Fries. skedda, O. Sax. sceddjan, L. Ger. & D. schadden, Sw. skadda, O. H. Ger. scutian, scuttan, N. H. Ger. schütten.]

1Sense 1. To cause to emanate, proceed, or flow out; especially, to throw off or give forth from one's self; to emit; diffuse.

Did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood? Shak.

2Sense 2. To let fall; to throw off, as a natural covering of hair, feathers, shell, and the like; to cast; as, trees shed their leaves in autumn; fowls shed their feathers; and serpents shed their skin.

3Sense 3. To cause to flow off without penetrating; as, a tight roof, or a covering of oiled cloth, or the like, is said to shed water.

4Sense 4. To sprinkle; to cover. [Rare.]

Her hair . . . Is shed with gray. B. Jonson.

n. The act of shedding or causing to flow;— used only in composition; as, blood-shed.

n. [Sw. skydd, a defense, skydda, to protect, to shelter, skygd, a shade, a defense, Dan. skytte, to protect, to shelter, skyts, defense, shelter, Ger. schützen, to defend, schutz, defense, D. schutten, to defend, to parry, to stop. Cf. SHADE.]

1Sense 1. A slight or temporary erection built to shelter something; an out-building; a hut. “The first Aletes born in lowly shed.” Fairfax. “Sheds of reeds which summer’s heat repel.” Sandys.

2Sense 2. (Weaving.) The double sloping aperture made of the threads of the warp, through which to drive the shuttle.