ark shell
- noun
:
concha de arca
- While exploring a tidal pool, the marine biologist discovered a beautiful ark shell nestled among the rocks.
Examples
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Several species of ark shell are harvested for food in some Asian countries.
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The ark shell can be recognized by its sturdy, ridged shell.
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On the sandy seabed, a diver found a large ark shell half-buried in the sediment.
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The ark shell is often found in coastal waters.
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Many ark shells can be seen at the beach.
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In the aquarium, visitors can learn about the unique features of the ark shell and its habitat.
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The ark shell is known for its distinct shape, making it a favorite among shell collectors.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A sea animal like a clam with two strong box-shaped shells
A group of sea animals with two strong, ribbed shells like a rectangular clam
Surface Forms
Morphology
ark + shell
The noun is partially interpretable because 'shell' clearly signals an animal's protective covering and 'ark' (if understood as a boat/box) plausibly describes the shell's shape or type, so a learner who knows both words could guess it names a kind of shell. However, 'ark' is uncommon in this compound and the term denotes a specific taxonomic/marine species with details not predictable from the parts alone, so the meaning is only partially transparent and requires exposure for full understanding.
Etymology
Ark shell is named for the shape of the animal's shell: the two hard shells form a deep, boat-like cup. The part ark points to a small 'boat' and the part shell is its hard outer cover, so the name helps you picture a heavy, ridged sea animal with a deep, boat-shaped shell.