Conch

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Conch \Conch\ (k[o^][ng]k), n. [L. concha, Gr. ko`gchh. See
     {Coach}, n.]
     1. (Zool.) 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


        genus {Cassis}. See {Cameo} and {cameo conch}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The conch is sometimes used as a horn or trumpet, as in
           fogs at sea, or to call laborers from work.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. In works of art, the shell used by Tritons as a trumpet.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. [often capitalized] 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]
  
     4. (Arch.) See {Concha}, n.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. The external ear. See {Concha}, n., 2.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  conch
       n : any of various edible tropical marine gastropods of the
           genus Strombus having a brightly-colored spiral shell
           with large outer lip