cockleshell

American  

[kok-uhl-shel] / ˈkɒk əlˌʃɛl /

noun

1. a shell of the cockle.

2. a shell of some other mollusk, as the scallop.

3. Nautical. any light or frail vessel.

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cockleshell British  

/ ˈkɒkəlˌʃɛl /

noun

1. the shell of the cockle

2. any of the valves of the shells of certain other bivalve molluscs, such as the scallop

3. any small light boat

4. a badge worn by pilgrims

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Etymology

Origin of cockleshell

First recorded in 1375–1425, cockleshell is from late Middle English cokille shell. See cockle ¹, shell

Example Sentences

Since the days when cockleshell Phoenician galleys first began to crisscross the Mediterranean, men have made fortunes trading abroad.

From Time Magazine Archive

By dawn of May 30, the first wave of an astounding cockleshell armada was heading across the Channel.

From Time Magazine Archive

In April 1952 he set off north on this cockleshell, with 8 gal. of water and a cheap compass.

From Time Magazine Archive

They came from another storm: a 40-knot northeast wind that whipped up ten-foot waves and tossed, the presidential yacht Williamsburg around like a cockleshell under a bathtub faucet.

From Time Magazine Archive

“But I have got a few without the husks in the boat,” said the girl, rising and running to the place where the cockleshell had been left.

From Blown to Bits The Lonely Man of Rakata, the Malay Archipelago by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)