shell : Idioms & Phrases

A"corn-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) One of the sessile cirripeds; a barnacle of the genus Balanus. See Barnacle.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), the popular name of an ornamental cone shell (Conus admiralis).

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a fresh-water, operculated, spiral shell of the genus Ampullaria.

Webster 1913

Ar"gus shell`

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A species of shell (Cypræa argus), beautifully variegated with spots resembling those in a peacock's tail.

Webster 1913

• noun marine bivalve mollusk having a heavy toothed shell with a deep boat-like inner surface
  

WordNet

Ark" shell`

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A marine bivalve shell belonging to the genus Arca and its allies.

Webster 1913

• noun a shell fired by artillery
  

WordNet

• noun a cartridge containing an explosive charge but no bullet
  dummy; blank.
  

WordNet

• (Gunnery), a shell containing no charge, or one that does not explode.

Webster 1913

Boat" shell`

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) (a) A marine gastropod of the genus Crepidula. The species are numerous. It is so named from its form and interior deck. (b) A marine univalve shell of the genus Cymba.

Webster 1913

• noun marine gastropod mollusk having a very small thin shell
  

WordNet

Bub"ble shell`

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A marine univalve shell of the genus Bulla and allied genera, belonging to the Tectibranchiata.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a shell of the genus Voluta.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a small, univalve marine shell of the genus Rotella.

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• (Zoöl.), a univalve shell of the genus Phorus; so called because it fastens bits of stones and broken shells to its own shell, to such an extent as almost to conceal it.

Webster 1913

• noun primitive elongated bilaterally symmetrical marine mollusk having a mantle covered with eight calcareous plates
  polyplacophore; chiton; sea cradle.
  

WordNet

• the husks which separate from the cacao seeds in preparing them for use.

Webster 1913

• . (Zoöl.) See Acorn-shell.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a bivalve shell, or its inhabitant, of the genus Pholas, and allied genera. See Pholas.

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• (Zoöl.), a spiral shell the whorls of which turn from left right, or like the hands of a watch when the apex of the spire is toward the eye of the observer.

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• (Zoöl.), any species of Discina.

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• (Zoöl.), a species of limpet.

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• noun any of various large edible marine gastropods of the genus Haliotis having an ear-shaped shell with pearly interior
  abalone.
  

WordNet

Ear"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A flattened marine univalve shell of the genus Haliotis; -- called also sea-ear. See Abalone.

Webster 1913

• noun a grouping of electrons surrounding the nucleus of an atom
  
  • the chemical properties of an atom are determined by the outermost electron shell

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), one in which a transverse line drawn through the apex of the umbo bisects the valve, or divides it into two equal and symmetrical parts.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any shell of the family Pectinidæ. See Scallop, n., 1.

Webster 1913

Fig"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A marine univalve shell of the genus Pyrula, or Ficula, resembling a fig in form.

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• (Zoöl.), a marine shell (Pholas dactylus) resembling a finger in form.

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• (Zoöl.), the large West Indian conch shell (Strombus gigas).

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• noun (military) bomb consisting of an explosive projectile filled with a toxic gas that is released when the bomb explodes
  

WordNet

• . (a) A composition of powdered gold or gold leaf, ground up with gum water and spread on shells, for artists' use; called also gold paint. (b) (Zoöl.) A bivalve shell (Anomia glabra) of the Atlantic coast; called also jingle shell and silver shell. See Anomia.

Webster 1913

Go*roon" shell`

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A large, handsome, marine, univalve shell (Triton femorale).

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any species of Malleus, a genus of marine bivalve shells, allied to the pearl oysters, having the wings narrow and elongated, so as to give them a hammer-shaped outline; called also hammer oyster.

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• (Zoöl.), the guahog.

Webster 1913

Hard"-shell` adjective

Definitions

1. Unyielding; insensible to argument; uncompromising; strict. Collog., U.S.

Webster 1913

• noun Atlantic coast round clams with hard shells; large clams usually used for chowders or other clam dishes
  quahaug; quahog; round clam.
  
• noun an edible American clam; the heavy shells were used as money by some American Indians
  Mercenaria mercenaria; quahaug; hard clam; Venus mercenaria; quahog; round clam.
  

WordNet

• noun edible crab that has not recently molted and so has a hard shell
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite of animals or plants that have a hard shell
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a beautiful marine gastropod shell of the genus Harpa, of several species, found in tropical seas. See Harpa.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any marine, bivalve shell of the genus Cardium and allied genera, having a heart-shaped shell; esp., the European Isocardia cor; called also heart cockle.

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• (Zoöl.), any spinose, marine, univalve shell of the genus Murex.

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• (Zoöl.), one of many species of tropical marine univalve shells belonging to Cassis and allied genera. Many of them are large and handsome; several are used for cutting as cameos, and hence are called cameo shells. See King conch.

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• (Zoöl.), any long, sharp, spiral, gastropod shell, of the genus Cerithium, and allied genera.

Webster 1913

• a bombshell. See Carcass, 4.

Webster 1913

I"o*qua shell`

Etymology

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) The shell of a large Dentalium (D. pretiosum), formerly used as shell money, and for ornaments, by the Indians of the west coast of North America.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any species of Eburna, a genus of marine gastropod shells, having a smooth surface, usually white with red or brown spots.

Webster 1913

• . See Gold shell (b), under Gold.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a spiral marine shell of the genus Scalaria. See Scalaria.

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• noun marine animal with bivalve shell having a pair of arms bearing tentacles for capturing food; found worldwide
  brachiopod; lampshell.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any brachiopod shell of the genus Terebratula and allied genera. The name refers to the shape, which is like that of an antique lamp. See Terebratula.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any translucent, marine, bivalve shell of the genus Anatina, and allied genera.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a small bivalve shell of the genus Ervillia, family Tellinidæ.

Webster 1913

Mail"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A chiton.

Webster 1913

Mask" shell`

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any spiral marine shell of the genus Persona, having a curiously twisted aperture.

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• (Zoöl.), a marine univalve shell of the genus Phorus; so called because it cements other shells and pebbles upon its own shell; a carrier shell.

Webster 1913

• a bombshell inside of which papers may be put, in order to convey messages.
• . See Shell.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of marine univalve shells of the genus Mitra.

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• noun marine gastropods having smooth rounded shells that form short spires
  moonshell.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a handsomely colored marine gastropod shell (Voluta musica) found in the East Indies; so called because the color markings often resemble printed music. Sometimes applied to other shells similarly marked.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a sea urchin.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), very large bivalve mollusk (Schizothærus Nuttallii) found on the northwest coast of America. It is excellent food, and is extensively used by the Indians.

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• noun a shell of an oyster
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), the shell of an oyster.

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• (Zoöl.), a large marine univalve shell (Dolium perdix), having colors variegated like those of the partridge.

Webster 1913

• noun shell of puff paste
  bouchee.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any marine gastropod shell of the genus Pyrula, native of tropical seas; so called from the shape.

Webster 1913

• noun the pearly lining of the dark shells is a source of mother-of-pearl
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Solarium and allied genera. See Solarium.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any marine univalve shell of the genus Phasianella, of which numerous species are found in tropical seas. The shell is smooth and usually richly colored, the colors often forming blotches like those of a pheasant.

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• noun pastry used to hold pie fillings
  pie crust.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a small bivalve shell of the genus Donax; so called because eaten by the pompano. Florida

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a cowry.

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• (Zoöl.), a handsome marine gastropod shell (Oliva porphyria), having a dark red or brown polished surface, marked with light spots, like porphyry.

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Pouch"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A small British and American pond snail (Bulinus hypnorum).

Webster 1913

• . See Ianthina.

Webster 1913

• noun a very light narrow racing boat
  shell.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any marine bivalve shell belonging to Solen and allied genera, especially Solen, ∨ Ensatella, ensis, ∧ Americana, which have a long, narrow, somewhat curved shell, resembling a razor handle in shape. Called also rasor clam, razor fish, knife handle.

Webster 1913

Rice"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small white polished marine shells of the genus Olivella.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any species of Murex, Purpura, and allied genera.

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• (Zoöl.), any marine gastropod shell of the genus Monodonta. They are top-shaped, bright-colored and pearly.

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• (Zoöl.), any thin plicated bivalve shaell of the genera Placuna and Anomia; so called from its shape. Called also saddle oyster.

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• (Zoöl.), a pecten (Vola Jacobæus) worn by piligrims to the Holy Land. See Illust. under Scallop.

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• noun a shell of a scallop
  

WordNet

• noun any of numerous tropical marine snails that as adults have the outer lip of the aperture produced into a series of long curved spines
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a long, slender, spiral gastropod shell, especially of the genus Turritella and allied genera. See Turritella.

Webster 1913

• noun a bean plant grown primarily for its edible seed rather than its pod
  shell bean.
  
• noun unripe beans removed from the pod before cooking
  

WordNet

• noun a bean plant grown primarily for its edible seed rather than its pod
  shell bean.
  

WordNet

• a tool shaped like a gouge, used with a brace in boring wood. See Bit, n., 3.

Webster 1913

• . (a) A button made of shell . (b) A hollow button made of two pieces, as of metal, one for the front and the other for the back, often covered with cloth, silk, etc.

Webster 1913

• a cameo cut in shell instead of stone.

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• noun the collection and study of mollusc shells
  conchology.
  

WordNet

• noun a company that is incorporated but has no assets or operations
  shell corporation.
  

WordNet

• noun a company that is incorporated but has no assets or operations
  shell corporation.
  

WordNet

• . (Bot.) Same as Turtlehead.

Webster 1913

• noun a swindling sleight-of-hand game; victim guesses which of three things a pellet is under
  thimblerig.
  

WordNet

• noun cultivated for its shining oblong leaves and arching clusters of white flowers with pink shading and crinkled yellow lips with variegated magenta stripes
  Languas speciosa; shall-flower; shellflower; Alpinia Zerumbet; Alpinia speciosa.
  

WordNet

• . (Zoöl.) (a) A glandular organ in which the rudimentary shell is formed in embryonic mollusks . (b) A glandular organ which secretes the eggshells of various worms, crustacea, mollusks, etc.

Webster 1913

• a cannon suitable for throwing shells.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), the openbill of India.

Webster 1913

• noun waist-length jacket tapering to a point at the back; worn by officers in the mess for formal dinners
  monkey jacket; mess jacket.
  

WordNet

• an undress military jacket.

Webster 1913

• lime made by burning the shells of shellfish.

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• (Min.), a kind of marl characterized by an abundance of shells, or fragments of shells.

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• food consisting of shellfish, or testaceous mollusks. Fuller.

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• . See under Mound.

Webster 1913

• the exterior of a steam boiler, forming a case to contain the water and steam, often inclosing also flues and the furnace; the barrel of a cylindrical, or locomotive, boiler.

Webster 1913

• verb administer or bestow, as in small portions
  dish out; deal; parcel out; dispense; distribute; dole out; administer; allot; lot; deal out; mete out.
  
  • administer critical remarks to everyone present
  • dole out some money
  • shell out pocket money for the children
  • deal a blow to someone
  • the machine dispenses soft drinks

WordNet

• noun small Australian parakeet usually light green with black and yellow markings in the wild but bred in many colors
  budgerygah; budgereegah; budgie; budgerigar; grass parakeet; lovebird; Melopsittacus undulatus.
  

WordNet

• noun the plates covering the frame of a steel ship and corresponding to the planking of a wooden ship
  

WordNet

• a road of which the surface or bed is made of shells, as oyster shells.

Webster 1913

• minute fragments of shells constituting a considerable part of the seabeach in some places.

Webster 1913

• noun a mental disorder caused by stress of active warfare
  combat neurosis; battle fatigue; combat fatigue.
  

WordNet

• noun a crochet stitch
  
• verb make by shell stitching
  

WordNet

• noun showy perennial of marshlands of eastern and central North America having waxy lanceolate leaves and flower with lower part creamy white and upper parts pale pink to deep purple
  Chelone glabra; shellflower; turtlehead; snake-head; snakehead.
  

WordNet

Shell"-lac`, Shel"lac` noun (Also<

• Shell-lac
• Shellac

)

Etymology

Definitions

1. See the Note under 2d Lac.

Webster 1913

• adjective of animals or fruits that have no shell
  unshelled.
  

WordNet

Shell"-less

Definitions

1. , a. Having no shell. J. Burroughs.

Webster 1913

• noun a shell containing lead shot; used in shotguns
  

WordNet

• (Gunnery), a projectile for a cannon, consisting of a shell filled with bullets and a small bursting charge to scatter them at any given point while in flight. See the Note under Case shot.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of marine gastropods of the genus Volva, or Radius, having a smooth, spindle-shaped shell prolonged into a channel at each end.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a marine bivalve of the genus Anomia. See Anomia.

Webster 1913

• noun a shell for a single oarsman
  racing skiff.
  

WordNet

• adjective satellite univalve
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a boat shell.

Webster 1913

Slit"-shell" noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any species of Pleurotomaria, a genus of beautiful, pearly, spiral gastropod shells having a deep slit in the outer lip. Many fossil species are known, and a few living ones are found in deep water in tropical seas.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having a smooth shell
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), the shell of snail.

Webster 1913

Soft"-shell`, Soft"-shelled` adjective (Also<

• Soft-shell
• Soft-shelled

)

Definitions

1. Having a soft or fragile shell.

Webster 1913

• noun a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
  long-neck clam; steamer; steamer clam.
  
• noun an edible clam with thin oval-shaped shell found in coastal regions of the United States and Europe
  long-neck clam; steamer; steamer clam; Mya arenaria.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), the long clam. See Mya.

Webster 1913

• noun freshly molted crab with new shell still tender and flexible
  soft-shell crab.
  
• noun edible crab that has recently molted and not yet formed its new shell
  soft-shell crab.
  

WordNet

• . (Zoöl.) See Trionyx.

Webster 1913

• noun freshly molted crab with new shell still tender and flexible
  soft-shell crab.
  
• noun edible crab that has recently molted and not yet formed its new shell
  soft-shell crab.
  

WordNet

• . (Zoöl.) See the Note under Crab, 1.

Webster 1913

• noun voracious aquatic turtle with a flat flexible shell covered by a leathery skin; can inflict painful bites
  pancake turtle.
  

WordNet

• . (Zoöl.) Same as Soft tortoise, under Soft.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras.

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• (Zoöl.), any pteropod of the genus Styliola having a slender conical shell.

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• . (Zoöl.) See Spindle, 7. above.

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• any shell in which the whorls form a spiral or helix.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite having a shell that forms a spiral
  

WordNet

Spur"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of handsome gastropod shells of the genus Trochus, or Imperator. The shell is conical, with the margin toothed somewhat like the rowel of a spur.

Webster 1913

• . (Zoöl.) (a) Any scalaria, or wentletrap . (b) Any species of Solarium, or perspective shell.

Webster 1913

• noun an artillery shell containing an illuminant
  

WordNet

• noun a spoon for serving sugar; often made in the shape of a seashell
  sugar spoon.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Solarium. See Solarium.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), a West Indian marine bivalve (Tellina radiata) having a smooth shell marked with radiating bands of varied colors resembling those seen at sunset or before sunrise; called also rising sun.

Webster 1913

• noun a shell fired by the cannon on a tank
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), an elongated gastropod (Cerithium telescopium) having numerous flattened whorls.

Webster 1913

• adjective satellite of animals or plants that have a thin shell
  

WordNet

• noun mussel with thin fragile shells having only rudimentary hinge teeth
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), a large and conspicuously spotted cowrie (Cypræa tigris); so called from its fancied resemblance to a tiger in color and markings. Called also tiger cowrie.

Webster 1913

• to distribute freely; to bring out or pay, as money. Colloq.

Webster 1913

Tongue"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. Any species of Lingula.

Webster 1913

• noun any of various seashore mollusks having a tapering tubular shell open at each end and a foot pointed like a spade for burrowing
  tooth shell.
  

WordNet

Top"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of marine top_shaped shells of the genus Thochus, or family Trochidæ.

Webster 1913

• the substance of the shell or horny plates of several species of sea turtles, especially of the hawkbill turtle. It is used in inlaying and in the manufacture of various ornamental articles.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any one of several species of handsomely colored butterflies of the genus Aglais, as A. Milberti, and A. urticæ, both of which, in the larva state, feed upon nettles.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), the hawkbill turtle. See Hawkbill.

Webster 1913

Trough"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any bivalve shell of the genus Mactra. See Mactra.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any species of large marine univalve shells belonging to Triton and allied genera. See Triton, 2.

Webster 1913

Tube"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any bivalve mollusk which secretes a shelly tube around its siphon, as the watering-shell.

Webster 1913

Tu"lip-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A large, handsomely colored, marine univalve shell (Fasciolaria tulipa) native of the Southern United States. The name is sometimes applied also to other species of Fasciolaria.

Webster 1913

Tur"ban-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A sea urchin when deprived of its spines; -- popularly so called from a fancied resemblance to a turban.

Webster 1913

Tur"nip-shell" noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any one of several large, thick, spiral marine shells belonging to Rapa and allied genera, somewhat turnip-shaped.

Webster 1913

• tortoise shell. See under Tortoise.

Webster 1913

Tur"tle-shell` noun

Definitions

1. The turtle cowrie.

Webster 1913

• noun any of various seashore mollusks having a tapering tubular shell open at each end and a foot pointed like a spade for burrowing
  tooth shell.
  

WordNet

Tusk"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) See 2d Tusk, n., 2.

Webster 1913

• . (Zoöl.) See Umbrella, 3.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any one of several species of marine gastropods having a prominent spine on the lip of the shell. Most of them belong to the genera Monoceros and Leucozonia.

Webster 1913

Valve"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any fresh-water gastropod of the genus Valvata.

Webster 1913

• . (Zoöl.) (a) A spiral shell having the body whorls rounded or swollen in the middle. (b) A bivalve shell in which the valves are strongly convex.

Webster 1913

• . (Zoöl.) (a) Any species of Cypræa; a cowrie. (b) Same as Venus's comb, above. (c) Same as Venus, 4.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any species of Ianthina; called also violet snail. See Lanthina.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of operculated fresh-water gastropods belonging to Viviparus, Melantho, and allied genera. Their young, when born, have a well-developed spiral shell.

Webster 1913

Wedge"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small marine bivalves belonging to Donax and allied genera in which the shell is wedge-shaped.

Webster 1913

• noun a small high-velocity shell; it makes a whizzing sound followed by a bang when it hits
  whizzbang; whizbang.
  

WordNet

• (Zoöl.), the window oyster.

Webster 1913

• (Zoöl.), wing case of an insect.

Webster 1913

Wing"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of various species of marine bivalve shells belonging to the genus Avicula, in which the hinge border projects like a wing. (b) Any marine gastropod shell of the genus Strombus. See Strombus. (c) Any pteropod shell.

Webster 1913

• the shell of certain mollusks of the genus Murex, having a very long canal, with or without spines.

Webster 1913

Worm"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) Any species of Vermetus.

Webster 1913

Wreath"-shell` noun

Definitions

1. (Zoöl.) A marine shell of the genus Turbo. See Turbo.

Webster 1913