Main Entry: conch

Pronunciation: \ˈkäŋk, ˈkänch, ˈkȯŋk\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural conchs \ˈkäŋks, ˈkȯŋks\ or conches \ˈkän-chəz\

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin concha mussel, mussel shell, from Greek konchē; akin to Sanskrit śaṅkha conch shell

Date: 15th century

1 : any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks (as of the genus Strombus); also : its shell used especially for cameos
2 often capitalized : a native or resident of the Florida Keys
3 : concha 2

[conch illustration]