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Glite Dictionary
sugar shell

sugar shell

5.1
A small spoon with a bowl like a shell used to serve sugar
  • noun
  • /ˈʃʌɡər ʃɛl/
  • Archaic
translation icon : cucharita de azúcar
  • She placed the ornate sugar shell beside the bowl during afternoon tea.

Examples

  • The antique sugar shell was a family heirloom passed down for generations.

  • She used a sugar shell to serve the dessert.

  • Please use the sugar shell to sprinkle sugar on your strawberries.

  • The antique shop had beautiful sugar shells on display.

  • She placed the ornate sugar shell beside the bowl during afternoon tea.

  • The antique sugar shell was a family heirloom passed down for generations.

  • Please use the sugar shell to sprinkle sugar on your strawberries.

Synonyms

sugar spoon
vssugar shell
2.2

A small spoon used to serve sugar

has identical meaning but is an alternative name used for it

Surface Forms

sugar shell singular
sugar shells plural

Morphology

sugar + shell

The meaning is directly and transparently built from 'sugar' (what the object is for) and 'shell' (its shape or form): a utensil or container associated with sugar that is shell-shaped. This noun–noun composition follows normal compounding patterns and a B1 learner who knows both words would reasonably infer a small scoop or spoon for sugar, even if the specific item is somewhat specialized.

Etymology

Sugar shell may come from small serving spoons whose bowl was made to look like a sea shell, so the sugar sat inside like sand in a shell. That's why sugar shell means 'a small spoon for serving sugar'.