tiger cowrie

Thân thiện

A tiger cowrie shell rests on a sandy beach.

Definition

Noun: 1. A marine mollusk (Cypraea tigris): A species of large sea snail, a type of cowrie, known for its glossy, egg-shaped shell which is patterned with dark spots or blotches on a pale background, resembling a tiger's markings. 2. The shell of this mollusk: The hard, porcelain-like shell of the tiger cowrie, historically used as ornamentation, currency, or in ritual contexts.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to the animal):
  • We saw a tiger cowrie slowly moving across the coral reef.
  • The tiger cowrie is one of the largest and most well-known cowrie species.
• Noun (referring to the shell):
  • She collected a beautiful tiger cowrie from the beach.
  • In some cultures, the tiger cowrie was used as a form of money.

Advanced Usage

• In historical/anthropological context: The term is often used when discussing trade, adornment, or ceremonial objects in indigenous cultures across the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
  • The ceremonial headdress was decorated with several prized tiger cowries.

Variants and Related Words

• Tiger shell: A less common, descriptive synonym.
• Cypraea tigris: The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
• Cowrie/Cowry (n): The general term for all mollusks in the family Cypraeidae, to which the tiger cowrie belongs.

Synonyms

• Cypraea tigris (scientific name).
• Tiger shell (descriptive synonym).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• None directly associated: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using "tiger cowrie." It is primarily a zoological and anthropological term.

Học thuật

Noun

1. cowrie whose shell is used for ornament

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cypraea tigris