Definition

A type of shell that is similar to a cockle, often used in nautical contexts to refer to a small light boat or the shell itself.

Example

The children collected cockleshells along the beach.

Conversation

I found an interesting cockleshell on the beach yesterday.

That's cool! I've never seen one up close before.

It's really unique; I might turn it into a little decoration.

That sounds like a fun project! I love beach finds.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cockleshell → The word 'cockleshell' is formed from 'cockle' (from Old English *coccle*, meaning a type of shellfish) and 'shell' (from Old English *scell*, meaning a hard outer covering). The term refers to the hard outer covering of the cockle shellfish.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'cockle' as a type of shellfish and 'shell' as its hard outer covering — together, they describe the shell of the cockle.

Visually Confused Words