Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The typical genus of Turritellidæ, having a long turriculate spirally striate shell, with rounded aperture, as T. imbricate.
  • noun Any member of this genus.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Zoöl.) Any spiral marine gastropod belonging to Turritella and allied genera. These mollusks have an elongated, turreted shell, composed of many whorls. They have a rounded aperture, and a horny multispiral operculum.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun zoology Any of the genus Turritella (or allied genera) of spiral marine gastropods with an elongated, turreted shell.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

New Latin, diminutive of Latin turris ("tower")

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Examples

  • On examination, we discovered it to be a compact bed of shells, composed of a common description of marine shell from two to three inches in length, apparently a species of turritella.

    Two Expeditions into the Interior of Southern Australia — Complete Charles Sturt 1832

  • On examination, we discovered it to be a compact bed of shells, composed of a common description of marine shell from two to three inches in length, apparently a species of turritella.

    Two Expeditions into the Interior of Southern Australia — Volume 2 Charles Sturt 1832

  • My favorite moment so far was when I had a package containing the interior casts of turritella snails shipped to Patrick’s office, and the woman who sold them to me sent along a charming note saying OMG you work at Tor!

    Making Light: Pretty rocks 2010

  • Portions of lucinae, echinus, spatangi, and turritella or melania, were comprised in specimens from a softer stratum which was the lowest.)

    Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia, Volume 2 Thomas Mitchell 1823

  • My favorite moment so far was when I had a package containing the interior casts of turritella snails shipped to Patrick's office, and the woman who sold them to me sent along a charming note saying "OMG you work at Tor!

    Making Light Teresa 2010

  • My favorite moment so far was when I had a package containing the interior casts of turritella snails shipped to Patrick's office, and the woman who sold them to me sent along a charming note saying "OMG you work at Tor!

    Making Light Teresa 2010

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