olivella

noun

ol·​i·​vel·​la
ˌäləˈvelə
1
capitalized : a genus of small marine snails (family Olividae) having an operculum and a smooth shining shell formerly used by some Indians of the Pacific coast of North America as money and for ornament compare olive shell
2
plural -s : any shell or animal of the genus Olivella

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, diminutive of Latin oliva olive

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Dictionary Entries Near olivella

Cite this Entry

“Olivella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olivella. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

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