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

In April 1952 he set off north on this cockleshell, with 8 gal. of water and a cheap compass.

From Time Magazine Archive

So sure were these hardy Elizabethans of reaching their goal that they sheathed their cockleshell ships with lead, to protect the timbers from the worms of India.

From Time Magazine Archive

They came from another storm: a 40-knot northeast wind that whipped up ten-foot waves and tossed, the presidential yacht Williamsburg around like a cockleshell under a bathtub faucet.

From Time Magazine Archive

This grotesquely cast Marco Polo skips like a cockleshell over the surface of Marco's famed Munchausenish travel tale, comes at length to a cockleshell's finale.

From Time Magazine Archive

But his forefathers used to people these waters on cockleshell voyages that make the venture of Columbus look like a ride in a ferry-boat.

From Where the Pavement Ends by Russell, John