conch

¹

[ kongk, konch ]

noun

, plural conchs [kongks], con·ches [kon, -chiz].

1. the spiral shell of a gastropod, often used as a horn.
2. any of various marine gastropods.
3. the fabled shell trumpet of the Tritons.
4. (often initial capital letter) Slang: Sometimes Disparaging.
   1. a term used to refer to a native or inhabitant of the Florida Keys.
   2. a term used to refer to a Bahamian.
5. Also . Architecture. a smooth concave surface consisting of or resembling the interior of a semidome, as the surface of a vault, a trompe, or the head of a niche.

conch-

²

1. variant of concho- before a vowel.

conch

/ kɒŋk; kɒntʃ /

noun

1. any of various tropical marine gastropod molluscs of the genus Strombus and related genera, esp S. gigas (giant conch), characterized by a large brightly coloured spiral shell
2. the shell of such a mollusc, used as a trumpet
3. architect another name for concha

Sensitive Note

Conch is usually a neutral nickname or term of self-reference for any person living in the Florida Keys or the Bahamas, where conch (the flesh of the gastropod) is a popular food. However, the nickname conch is sometimes used with disparaging intent when specifically referring to a person of Bahamian ancestry living in the Florida Keys. And Loyalists who fled to the Bahamas during the Revolutionary War used the nickname conch to refer disparagingly to a native or early settler of the Bahamas.

Other Words From

• conch·ate [kong, -keyt, kon, -cheyt], conched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conch¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin concha < Greek kónchē mussel, shell

Word History and Origins

Origin of conch¹

C16: from Latin concha, from Greek konkhē shellfish

Example Sentences

Protesters blew conch shells - the sound is considered auspicious.

From BBC

The race starts any time from midnight to noon on race day, with one hour till race start signalled by blowing a conch.

From BBC

It is more cringy than sweet seeing her flirt with him over how to pronounce “conch.”

From Salon

An Indian air force helicopter dropped flower petals outside, priests blew conches and chanted, but Modi was the star.

From Los Angeles Times

"We also feed them conch slop and algae smoothies," Alizee explains.

From BBC

Related Words

• clam
• crawfish
• crustacean
• lobster
• mollusk
• mussel
• oyster
• prawn
• scallop
• shrimp
• snail