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

By dawn of May 30, the first wave of an astounding cockleshell armada was heading across the Channel.

From Time Magazine Archive

But their cockleshell boats capsized in the raging surf, and those who tried to swim out with lines were dragged ashore half-drowned.

From Time Magazine Archive

On view in a Manhattan gallery were 27 oils and watercolors, all done in 1952: autumn hillsides, foaming seas and cockleshell boats, apple blossoms, circuses.

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

Although the raft was tossed about like a cockleshell, it went through without injury, and none of the goods were displaced or harmed.

From Klondike Nuggets and How Two Boys Secured Them by Lowell, Orson