cockleshell

American  

[kok-uhl-shel] / ˈkɒk əlˌʃɛl /

noun

1. a shell of the cockle.

2. a shell of some other mollusk, as the scallop.

3. Nautical. any light or frail vessel.

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cockleshell British  

/ ˈkɒkəlˌʃɛl /

noun

1. the shell of the cockle

2. any of the valves of the shells of certain other bivalve molluscs, such as the scallop

3. any small light boat

4. a badge worn by pilgrims

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Etymology

Origin of cockleshell

First recorded in 1375–1425, cockleshell is from late Middle English cokille shell. See cockle ¹, shell

Example Sentences

Never mind silver bells and cockleshells, Mary should have tossed dead fish to help her garden grown.

From BBC

As does the surrounding lonely shoreline and saltmarsh, whose muddy tussocks hop with wading birds and whose beaches are composed, in part, of yellow cockleshells.

From The Guardian

As a contemporary observed of him at the colonial office, he “exaggerated the importance of everything he touched. Every speck on the horizon, he assumed, would turn out to be a Cunarder, not a cockleshell.”

From Washington Post

They also painted scallop shells and cockleshells, scientists excavating caves in Spain discovered in 2010.

From Reuters

The oarsmen were making for land, of course; you see, we had been many hours in a mere cockleshell, and this island promised safety.

From Project Gutenberg