Meaning of COWRIE
| Pronunciation: | | 'kawree
|
 WordNet Dictionary |
| |
| | Definition: | | [n] any of numerous tropical marine gastropods of the genus Cypraea having highly polished usually brightly marked shells |
| |
| | Sponsored Links: | |
|
| |
| | Synonyms: | | cowry |
| |
| | See Also: | | Cypraea, Cypraea moneta, Cypraea tigris, gastropod, genus Cypraea, money cowrie, tiger cowrie, univalve | |
| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
| |
| | Definition: | |
\Cow"rie\ (-r[y^]), n. (Bot.)
Same as {Kauri}.
\Cow"rie\ Cowry \Cow"ry\(kou"r[y^]), n.; pl. {Cowries}
(-r[i^]z). [Hind. kaur[imac].] (Zo["o]l.)
A marine shell of the genus {Cypr[ae]a}.
Note: There are numerous species, many of them ornamental.
Formerly {C. moneta} and several other species were
largely used as money in Africa and some other
countries, and they are still so used to some extent.
The value is always trifling, and varies at different
places.
|
| |
|
|