conch

[kongk, konch] /kɒŋk, kɒntʃ/
noun, plural conchs
[kongks] /kɒŋks/ (Show IPA), conches
[kon-chiz] /ˈkɒn tʃɪz/ (Show IPA)
1.
the spiral shell of a gastropod, often used as a horn.
2.
any of various marine gastropods.
3.
the fabled shell trumpet of the Tritons.
4.
(often initial capital letter) Slang: Sometimes Disparaging.
  1. a term used to refer to a native or inhabitant of the Florida Keys.
  2. a term used to refer to a Bahamian.
5.
Also, concha. Architecture. a smooth concave surface consisting of or resembling the interior of a semidome, as the surface of a vault, a trompe, or the head of a niche.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin concha < Greek kónchē mussel, shell
Related forms
conchate
[kong-keyt, kon-cheyt] /ˈkɒŋ keɪt, ˈkɒn tʃeɪt/ (Show IPA), conched, adjective
Usage note
Conch is usually a neutral nickname or term of self-reference for any person living in the Florida Keys or the Bahamas, where conch (the flesh of the gastropod) is a popular food. However, the nickname conch is sometimes used with disparaging intent when specifically referring to a person of Bahamian ancestry living in the Florida Keys. And Loyalists who fled to the Bahamas during the Revolutionary War used the nickname conch to refer disparagingly to a native or early settler of the Bahamas.

conch-

1.
variant of concho- before a vowel.
Examples from the web for conch
  • Close by are a diamond-encrusted conch shell and discus, his traditional accessories.
  • The corners of the burial pit are marked with large conch shells.
  • The road is lined with stalls selling food, including stews made from the flesh of the conch after which the village is named.
  • They made instruments of anything that came to hand: conch-shells, wooden boxes, metal cups.
  • The ears, translucent in the low rays of the morning sun, look as if someone had systematically and neatly flattened conch shells.
  • For creatures desiring to eat the conch, that is a formidable fortress to breach.
  • The conch fritters and seafood chowder are menu favorites.
  • The laid-back island atmosphere mixes with island architecture such as gingerbread mansions and conch houses with tin roofs.
  • Starters include coconut shrimp, conch fritters, prime rib-stuffed mushrooms and fried green tomatoes.
  • There's a three-level pool and a restaurant with local seafood specialties that feature lobster, stone crabs and conch.
British Dictionary definitions for conch

conch

/kɒŋk; kɒntʃ/
noun (pl) conchs (kɒŋks), conches (ˈkɒntʃɪz)
1.
any of various tropical marine gastropod molluscs of the genus Strombus and related genera, esp S. gigas (giant conch), characterized by a large brightly coloured spiral shell
2.
the shell of such a mollusc, used as a trumpet
3.
(architect) another name for concha (sense 2)
Word Origin
C16: from Latin concha, from Greek konkhē shellfish
Word Origin and History for conch
n.

type of shell, early 15c., from Latin concha "shellfish, mollusk," from Greek konkhe "mussel, shell," from PIE root *konkho-. The name for natives of Florida Keys since at least 1833; the prefered pronunciation there ("kongk") preserves the classical one.