Conch \Conch\, n. [L. concha, Gr. ?. See Coach, n.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A name applied to various marine univalve
shells; esp. to those of the genus Strombus, which are
of large size. S. gigas is the large pink West Indian
conch. The large king, queen, and cameo conchs are of the
genus Cassis. See Cameo.
Note: The conch is sometimes used as a horn or trumpet, as in
fogs at sea, or to call laborers from work.
2. In works of art, the shell used by Tritons as a trumpet.
3. 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.
4. (Arch.) See Concha, n.
5. The external ear. See Concha, n., 2.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |