cowrie

/'kauri/ Cách viết khác : (cowry) /'kauri/

Thân thiện

A child holds a shiny cowrie shell up to the light.

Definition

Noun: 1. A type of sea snail: A cowrie is a marine mollusk (a gastropod) belonging to the family Cypraeidae. It is known for its smooth, glossy, and often brightly colored or patterned shell. 2. The shell of this animal: Historically, the durable and attractive shell of the cowrie, especially the money cowrie (Monetaria moneta), was used as a form of currency in various parts of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Animal):
  • We saw a live cowrie crawling on the coral reef.
  • The diver carefully returned the cowrie to its habitat.
• Noun (Shell/Object):
  • She collected a beautiful spotted cowrie from the beach.
  • In ancient times, cowrie shells were traded for goods.

Advanced Usage

• "Money cowrie": A specific species () whose shells were widely used as currency.
  • Archaeologists found a stash of money cowrie shells at the trading post.
• Figurative use for value: Can be used poetically or historically to represent primitive currency or inherent beauty.
  • The jewels were as precious to her as cowries were to a tribal chief.

Variants and Related Words

• Cowry (noun): An alternative spelling of "cowrie".
• Cypraeid (noun/adjective): The scientific family name for cowries; relating to cowries.

Synonyms

• Shell (general)
• Seashell (general)
• Gastropod shell (scientific)

Related Phrases and Cultural Notes

• Cowrie shell: This is the most common compound phrase, referring specifically to the shell itself.
  • She wore a necklace made of cowrie shells.
• Historical Currency: The use of cowrie shells as money is a key cultural and historical concept associated with the word.
  • The price was ten cowrie shells per basket of grain.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of numerous tropical marine gastropods of the genus Cypraea having highly polished usually brightly marked shells

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cowry