Lewis & Short

† concha, ae, f., = κόγχη.

  1. I. A bivālve shell-fish, mussel, Plaut. Rud. 2, 1, 8; 2, 1, 15; Lucr. 2, 374; Verg. G. 2, 348; Plin. 9, 33, 52, § 102: legere, Cic. de Or. 2, 6, 22; Suet. Calig. 46: cavae, Ov. M. 4, 725: marinae, id. ib. 15, 264: viles, Hor. S. 2, 4, 28: unionum, Suet. Ner. 31.
    1. B. In partic.
      1. 1. A pearl-oyster, Plin. 9, 35, 54, § 107 sq.
        Hence,
        1. b. Meton., a pearl: lucida, Tib. 2, 4, 30; cf. Prop. 3 (4), 13, 6; Ov. M. 10, 260; id. Am. 2, 11, 13.
      2. 2. The purple-fish, Lucr. 2, 501; Ov. M. 10, 267.
  2. II. A mussel-shell, Lucr. 4, 937; Cic. N. D. 2, 48, 123: ostrea in conchis suis, Ov. F. 6, 174.
    Hence,
    1. B. Meton.
      1. 1. A snail-shell, Col. poët. 10, 324.
        1. b. The Triton’s trumpet, in form like a snail-shell, Verg. A. 10, 209; Ov. M. 1, 333; Plin. 9, 5, 4, § 9; the trumpet of Misenus, Verg. A. 6, 171.
      2. 2. Of objects in the form of a mussel-shell.
        1. a. A vessel for holding oil, unguents, salt, etc., Cato, R. R. 13, 2; Col. 12, 50, 8; Hor. C. 2, 7, 23; id. S. 1, 3, 14 al.
        2. b. = cunnus, Plaut. Rud. 3, 3, 42; Fulg. Myth. 2, 4.