abalone

[ab-uh-loh-nee]

noun

1. a large mollusk of the genus Haliotis, having a bowllike shell bearing a row of respiratory holes, the flesh of which is used for food and the shell for ornament and as a source of mother-of-pearl.

abalone

/ ˌæbəˈləʊnɪ /

noun

1. Also called: ear shell. any of various edible marine gastropod molluscs of the genus Haliotis, having an ear-shaped shell that is perforated with a row of respiratory holes. The shells are used for ornament or decoration See also ormer

Word History and Origins

Origin of abalone¹

1840–50, taken as singular of California Spanish abulones, plural of abulón, aulón < a word in Rumsen, a Costanoan language formerly spoken at Monterey, California

Word History and Origins

Origin of abalone¹

C19: from American Spanish abulón; origin unknown

Example Sentences

The only otter seen on Thursday was way off shore, floating on its back atop a kelp bed — presumably eating some tasty morsel, such as a crab or abalone, retrieved from the sea floor.

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There are exquisite medallions and hair ornaments made from iridescent abalone shells and strings of Chumash currency — tiny, doughnut-shaped beads created from carefully cut olivella shells.

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On special is an abalone soup, an alien beast in his time, and not our cup of tea, but they say Hemingway took a shine.

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However, deputies also uncovered an unexpected aquatic trove: 35 live abalone, a northwestern pond turtle, wet clothing and tools apparently used to pry abalone from rocks, authorities said in a statement.

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He took loads of halibut and abalone off the La Costa Beach.

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Related Words

• mollusk