Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Concha

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

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CON'CHA (κόγχη). Strictly, a shell-fish, such as the muscle, pearl oyster, or murex; and, as various household utensils were made out of the shells of these fish, or in imitation of them, the name is commonly given to such objects; as to a salt-cellar (Hor. Sat. i. 3. 14.); a drinking cup (Juv. vi. 303.); a vase for unguents. Hor. Od. ii. 7. 22. Juv. vi. 419.

2. The conch, or Triton's shell, which they are frequently represented by poets and artists as blowing in place of a trumpet (Plin. H. N. ix. 4. Lucan, ix. 394.), in which cases the shell more closely resembles the bucina, as shown by the annexed engraving (Concha/2.1) from a terra-cotta lamp.

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