conch
UK[kɒŋk]US[kɑːŋk]
n
The large spiral shell of a sea creature, especially one that is used as a trumpet or for decoration.
n
The tropical sea creature that lives in this kind of shell.
Etymology
The word 'conch' entered English in the late 14th century, borrowed directly from Latin 'concha'. Its ultimate source is the ancient Greek word 'konchē', which broadly denoted bivalves like mussels and their hard, protective coverings. This Greek term can be traced further back to a hypothesized Proto-Indo-European root, suggesting a very ancient and stable concept for this natural object. Over time, the English meaning narrowed to refer specifically to the large, often spiral and brightly colored shells of certain tropical marine gastropods, prized both as decorative objects and, historically, as musical instruments when the pointed end is cut off to form a mouthpiece.
Analysis
The word 'conch' is a simplex loanword. It originates from Latin 'concha', meaning "shellfish, mollusk," which itself came from Greek 'konchē' (κογχη), meaning "mussel, shell." The Greek term is likely derived from the Proto-Indo-European root konkho-, also referring to a shell.
Examples
She held a large pink conch to her ear to listen to the sound of the sea.
The conch is a popular symbol of beach vacations and island life.
In the ceremony, a priest blew into a conch to signal the beginning of the ritual.