concha

1 of 2

noun (1)

con·​cha ˈkäŋ-kə 

plural conchae ˈkäŋ-ˌkē 

-ˌkī

1

a

: the plain semidome of an apse

b

: apse

2

: something shaped like a shell

especially : the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear

conchal

ˈkäŋ-kəl 

adjective

concha

2 of 2

noun (2)

con·​cha ˈkän-chə 

variants or less commonly concho

ˈkän-(ˌ)chō 

: an ornamental disk (as for clothing or tack) of southwestern U.S. Indigenous origin and typically featuring a shell or flower design

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Italian & Latin; Italian conca semidome, apse, from Late Latin concha, from Latin, shell

Noun (2)

American Spanish concha, from Spanish, shell, from Late Latin conchula, diminutive of Latin concha

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for concha

• estancia

Medical Definition

concha

noun

con·​cha

ˈkäŋ-kə also ˈkȯŋ-

plural conchae -ˌkē, -ˌkī 

1

: the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear

2

: nasal concha

conchal

-kəl 

adjective