Word Study
conch
CIDE DICTIONARY
- A name applied to various marine univalve shells; esp. to those of the genus
Strombus , which are of large size.Strombus gigas is the large pink West Indian conch. The large king, queen, and cameo conchs are of the genusCassis . See Cameo andcameo conch . [1913 Webster]" Theconch is sometimes used as a horn or trumpet, as in fogs at sea, or to call laborers from work." [1913 Webster] - In works of art, the shell used by Tritons as a trumpet. [1913 Webster]
- One of the white natives of the Bahama Islands or one of their descendants in the Florida Keys; -- so called from the commonness of the conch there, or because they use it for food. [1913 Webster]
- See Concha,
n. [1913 Webster] - The external ear. See Concha,
n. , 2. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
conch, n. (pl. conchs or conches)
1 a a thick heavy spiral shell, occasionally bearing long projections, of various marine gastropod molluscs of the family Strombidae. b any of these gastropods.
2 Archit. the domed roof of a semicircular apse.
3 = concha.
1 a a thick heavy spiral shell, occasionally bearing long projections, of various marine gastropod molluscs of the family Strombidae. b any of these gastropods.
2 Archit. the domed roof of a semicircular apse.
3 = concha.
Etymology
L concha shell f. Gk kogkhe
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