shed
Translation
to cast off, to lose, to emit, to get rid of
Examples
The snake sheds its skin once a year.
The snake sheds its skin once a year.
The company is going to shed 100 jobs.
The company is going to shed 100 jobs.
She shed a few tears at the wedding.
She shed a few tears at the wedding.
The lamp sheds a warm light.
The lamp sheds a warm light.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to lose a covering, such as leaves, hair, or skin A cat sheds hair.
((sth.)) to get rid of something you do not need or want The company shed 300 jobs.
((sth.)) to produce tears, light, etc. The candle shed a soft glow.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Old English 'scēadan', meaning 'to separate, divide'. This sense of separation connects all meanings: separating from skin, jobs, tears, or light.
Memory Tips
Think of a tree 'shedding' its leaves in autumn. The leaves separate from the tree. This core idea applies to all meanings.