Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SHEL'TER, n. [Sw. skyla, to cover; Dan. skiul, a shed or cover, a shelter; skiuler, to hide, conceal, cloke; L. celo.]

1. That which covers or defends from injury or annoyance. A house is a shelter from rain and other inclemencies of the weather; the foliage of a tree is a shelter from the rays of the sun. The healing plant shall aid, / From storms a shelter, nod from heat a shade. – Pope.
2. The state of being covered and protected; protection: security. Who into shelter takes their tender bloom. – Young.
3. He that defends or guards from danger; a protector. – Ps. lxi.