Word Study
wentletrap
CIDE DICTIONARY
wentletrap, n. [D. wenteltrap a winding staircase; cf. G. wendeltreppe.].
Any one of numerous species of elegant, usually white, marine shells of the genus Scalaria, especially Scalaria pretiosa , which was formerly highly valued; -- called also staircase shell . See Scalaria. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
wentletrap, n. any marine snail of the genus Clathrus, with a spiral shell of many whorls.
Etymology
Du. wenteltrap winding stair, spiral shell
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