shut-in

[ shuht-in ]
/ ˈʃʌtˌɪn /

adjective

confined to one's home, a hospital, etc., as from illness.
Psychiatry. disposed to desire solitude; withdrawn; asocial.
(of an oil or gas well) temporarily sealed up.

noun

a person confined by infirmity or disease to the house, a hospital, etc.
Also called shut-in well. an oil or gas well that has been closed down.

Origin of shut-in

1840–50, Americanism; adj., noun use of verb phrase shut in

Definition for shut in (2 of 2)

Origin of shut

before 1000; Middle English s(c)hutten, s(c)hetten, s(c)hitten Old English scyttan “to bolt (a door)”; akin to shoot1

synonym study for shut

1. See close.

OTHER WORDS FROM shut

half-shut, adjective re·shut, verb, re·shut, re·shut·ting. un·shut, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for shut in (1 of 2)

shut
/ (ʃʌt) /

verb shuts, shutting or shut

adjective

closed or fastened

noun

Word Origin for shut

Old English scyttan; related to Old Frisian sketta to shut in, Middle Dutch schutten to obstruct

British Dictionary definitions for shut in (2 of 2)

shut-in

noun

mainly US and Canadian
  1. a person confined indoors by illness
  2. (as modifier)a shut-in patient
psychiatry a condition in which the person is highly withdrawn and unable to express his own feelings See also schizoid

Medical definitions for shut in

shut-in
[ shŭtĭn′ ]

n.

A person confined indoors by illness or disability.

adj.

Confined to a home or hospital, as by illness.
Disposed to avoid social contact; excessively withdrawn or introverted.

Idioms and Phrases with shut in

shut