whelks

1 definition found

whelks - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Rhachiglossa \Rhach`i*glos"sa\, n. pl. [NL. See Rhachis, and
     Glossa.] (Zool.)
     A division of marine gastropods having a retractile proboscis
     and three longitudinal rows of teeth on the radula. It
     includes many of the large ornamental shells, as the
     miters, murices, olives, purpuras, volutes, and
     whelks. See Illust. in the Appendix.
     [1913 Webster]