lamp shell

or lampshell

noun

1. a mollusklike marine animal; brachiopod.

lamp shell

noun

1. another name for a brachiopod

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamp shell¹

First recorded in 1850–55; so called because its shape was thought to resemble that of an ancient Roman oil lamp

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamp shell¹

C19: from its likeness in shape to an ancient Roman oil lamp