Conch n.
1. Zool. A name applied to various marine univalve shells; esp. to those of the genus Strombus, which are of large size. Strombus gigas is the large pink West Indian conch. The large king, queen, and cameo conchs are of the genus Cassis. See Cameo and cameo conch.
Note: ☞ The conch is sometimes used as a horn or trumpet, as in fogs at sea, or to call laborers from work.
2. In works of art, the shell used by Tritons as a trumpet.
3. [often capitalized] One of the white natives of the Bahama Islands or one of their descendants in the Florida Keys; -- so called from the commonness of the conch there, or because they use it for food.
4. Arch. See Concha, n.
5. The external ear. See Concha, n., 2.
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Foun·tain n.
1. A spring of water issuing from the earth.
2. An artificially produced jet or stream of water; also, the structure or works in which such a jet or stream rises or flows; a basin built and constantly supplied with pure water for drinking and other useful purposes, or for ornament.
3. A reservoir or chamber to contain a liquid which can be conducted or drawn off as needed for use; as, the ink fountain in a printing press, etc.
4. The source from which anything proceeds, or from which anything is supplied continuously; origin; source.
Judea, the fountain of the gospel. --Fuller.
Author of all being,
Fountain of light, thyself invisible. --Milton.
Air fountain. See under Air.
Fountain heead, primary source; original; first principle. --Young.
Fountain inkstand, an inkstand having a continual supply of ink, as from elevated reservoir.
Fountain lamp, a lamp fed with oil from an elevated reservoir.
Fountain pen, a pen with a reservoir in the handle which furnishes a supply of ink.
Fountain pump. (a) A structure for a fountain, having the form of a pump. (b) A portable garden pump which throws a jet, for watering plants, etc.
Fountain shell Zool., the large West Indian conch shell (Strombus gigas).
Fountain of youth, a mythical fountain whose waters were fabled to have the property of renewing youth.
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Strombus gigas
n : a large variety of conch [syn: giant conch]