Cowrie \Cow"rie\ Cowry \Cow"ry\(kou"r[y^]), n.; pl. Cowries (-r[i^]z). [Hind. kaur[imac].]

(Zo["o]l.) A marine shell of the genus Cypr[ae]a.

Note: There are numerous species, many of them ornamental. Formerly C. moneta and several other species were largely used as money in Africa and some other countries, and they are still so used to some extent. The value is always trifling, and varies at different places.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)