conch

¹

[ kongk, konch ]

noun

, plural conchs [kongks], con·ches [kon, -chiz].

1. the spiral shell of a gastropod, often used as a horn.
2. any of various marine gastropods.
3. the fabled shell trumpet of the Tritons.
4. (often initial capital letter) Slang: Sometimes Disparaging.
   1. a term used to refer to a native or inhabitant of the Florida Keys.
   2. a term used to refer to a Bahamian.
5. Also . Architecture. a smooth concave surface consisting of or resembling the interior of a semidome, as the surface of a vault, a trompe, or the head of a niche.

conch-

²

1. variant of concho- before a vowel.

conch

/ kɒŋk; kɒntʃ /

noun

1. any of various tropical marine gastropod molluscs of the genus Strombus and related genera, esp S. gigas (giant conch), characterized by a large brightly coloured spiral shell
2. the shell of such a mollusc, used as a trumpet
3. See concha
   architect another name for concha

Sensitive Note

Conch is usually a neutral nickname or term of self-reference for any person living in the Florida Keys or the Bahamas, where conch (the flesh of the gastropod) is a popular food. However, the nickname conch is sometimes used with disparaging intent when specifically referring to a person of Bahamian ancestry living in the Florida Keys. And Loyalists who fled to the Bahamas during the Revolutionary War used the nickname conch to refer disparagingly to a native or early settler of the Bahamas.

Other Words From

• conch·ate [kong, -keyt, kon, -cheyt], conched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conch¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin concha < Greek kónchē mussel, shell

Word History and Origins

Origin of conch¹

C16: from Latin concha, from Greek konkhē shellfish

Example Sentences

But when it comes to eating a meal, all you know for sure is that it will be colorful, high-flavored, and Conch in character.

From The Daily Beast

By day, they snorkeled for conch and paddled in the pool in inner tubes.

From The Daily Beast

All around her is a jubilant crescendo: conch shells blowing, drums beating, a celebratory vapor of green powder everywhere.

From The Daily Beast

The infamous Conch Shack is a few minutes by car, but leaving this place is tough.

From The Daily Beast

Non vincant heder bracchia flexiles, Conch non superent oscula dulcia, Emanet pariter sudor et ossibus Grato murmure ab intimis.

From Project Gutenberg

Neptune blew upon his conch-shell, and the angry waves returned again to the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Triton was his father's trumpeter, and at Neptune's command he blew upon his conch-shell to calm the restless sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Within this niche a marble Triton poured through his conch-shell a continuous stream.

From Project Gutenberg

From the roof of the Saka-gompa with a statue of Padma Sambhava the single lama of the monastery blows his conch.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clam
• crawfish
• crustacean
• lobster
• mollusk
• mussel
• oyster
• prawn
• scallop
• shrimp
• snail