abalone
[ ab-uh-loh-nee ]
/ ˌæb əˈloʊ ni /
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noun
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.
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Origin of abalone
1840–50, Americanism; taken as singular of California Spanish abulones, plural of abulón,aulón< a word in Rumsen, a Costanoan language formerly spoken at Monterey, California
Words nearby abalone
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for abalone
abalone
/ (ˌæbəˈləʊnɪ) /
noun
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 decorationAlso called: ear shell See also ormer
Word Origin for abalone
C19: from American Spanish abulón; origin unknown
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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