Hull (?), n. [OE. hul, hol, shell, husk, AS. hulu; akin to G. hulle covering, husk, case, hullen to cover, Goth. huljan to cover, AS. helan to hele, conceal. &root;17. See Hele, v. t., Hell.]

1.

The outer covering of anything, particularly of a nut or of grain; the outer skin of a kernel; the husk.

2. [In this sense perh. influenced by D. hol hold of a ship, E. hold.] Naut.

The frame or body of a vessel, exclusive of her masts, yards, sails, and rigging.

Deep in their hulls our deadly bullets light. Dryden.

Hull down, said of a ship so distant that her hull is concealed by the convexity of the sea.

 

© Webster 1913.


Hull, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hulled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hulling.]

1.

To strip off or separate the hull or hulls of; to free from integument; as, to hull corn.

2.

To pierce the hull of, as a ship, with a cannon ball.

 

© Webster 1913.


Hull, v. i.

To toss or drive on the water, like the hull of a ship without sails.

[Obs.]

Shak. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.