Definition

A type of sea snail that has a rough and spiny shell, found in warm ocean waters and known for producing a purple dye.

Example

The ancient Romans used the dye from the murex to color their garments.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a murex shell on the beach?

Yes, I found one last summer! It was so unique and spiny.

I love how those murex shells look, especially in pictures.

They really are beautiful, and I heard they can be quite valuable too!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Murex originates from Latin 'murex' (meaning a type of sea snail or mollusk). The word refers specifically to a marine creature known for its shell, which was historically used to produce purple dye.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word for a sea snail, 'murex', to remember that it refers to a marine creature known for its shell.

Visually Confused Words