cockle

views updated Jun 11 2018

cock·le1 / ˈkäkəl/ • n. 1. an edible, burrowing bivalve mollusk (genus Cardium, family Cardiidae) with a strong ribbed shell. 2. (also cockleshell) poetic/lit. a small shallow boat.PHRASES: warm the cockles of one's heart give one a comforting feeling of pleasure or contentment.cock·le2 • v. [intr.] (of paper) bulge out in certain places so as to present a wrinkled or creased surface; pucker.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

cockle

views updated May 21 2018

cockle the ribbed mollusc shell which became the symbol of St James the Great and his shrine of Santiago de Compostela.
cockle-hat a hat with a cockle-shell or scallop-shell in it, worn by pilgrims, especially those travelling to Santiago.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

cockle

views updated May 17 2018

cockle Bivalve mollusc found in marine waters. Its varicoloured, heart-shaped shell has 20–24 strong, radiating ribs. There are c.200 recognized species, many of which are edible. Average length: 4–8cm (1.5–3in). Class Bivalvia; family Cardiidae; species include Cardium aculeatum.

World Encyclopedia

cockle

views updated May 17 2018

cockle 2 edible bivalve mollusc. XIV. — (O)F. coquille shell :- medL. *cochilia — medGr. kokhúlia. pl. of kokhúlion, f. kógkhē CONCH.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

cockle

views updated May 29 2018

cockle 1 plant growing among corn. OE. coccul, -el, perh. — medL. *cocculus, f. late L. coccus, earlier coccum kermes — Gr. kókkos.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

cockle

views updated May 18 2018

cockle 3 go into rucks, pucker. XVI. — F. coquiller blister (bread) in cooking, f. coquille shell, etc. (see prec.).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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