cowry
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a variation of
cowrie.
cowrienounthe highly polished, usually brightly colored shell of a marine gastropod of the genus Cypraea, as that of C. moneta money cowrie, used as money in certain parts of Asia and Africa, or that of C. tigris, used for ornament.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The collection includes reed fishing baskets, ceremonial masks, pots, a waist belt of cowry shells - and 20 leather cloaks in pristine condition collected during a 1911-1912 expedition.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2025
It’s a nickname in Italian for the cowry shell, whose shiny, white surface porcelain resembles.
From The New Yorker ● Nov. 11, 2015
It seems so primitive, totemistic even, like cowry shells.
From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
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He used these cowry shells for fashion one fishing lure he named Kalokuna.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
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On each of her bare feet was a string of cowry shells and small bells that chimed as she moved towards me.
From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat
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