wentletrap

[ wen-tl-trap ]

noun

1. any of several marine gastropods of the family Epitonii (Scalariidae), having a whitish, spiraled shell.

wentletrap

/ ˈwɛntəlˌtræp /

noun

1. any marine gastropod mollusc of the family Epitoniidae, having a long pointed pale-coloured longitudinally ridged shell

Word History and Origins

Origin of wentletrap¹

1750–60; < Dutch wenteltrap, earlier wendeltrap spiral staircase, equivalent to wend ( en ) to turn + frequentative -el- (compare wentelen to revolve) + trap trap ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of wentletrap¹

C18: from Dutch winteltrap spiral shell, from wintel, earlier windel, from wenden to wind + trap a step, stairs