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Cockle - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A cockle is a small, edible saltwater clam with a heart-shaped shell. It is often found in sandy coastal areas and is used in seafood dishes. The term can also describe a wrinkle or pucker in fabric or paper.

cockle

/ˈkɑkəl/ /ˈkɒkəl/

Definition:

A small edible shellfish with a ribbed shell, or to wrinkle or pucker like its shell.

Synonyms:

mollusk, bivalve, clam, shellfish

Part of Speech:

noun, verb

Antonyms:

smooth, flatten

Common Collocations:

cockle shells, cockle hat, warm the cockles of one's heart

Derivatives:

cockled, cockling

Usage Tips:

Use "cockle" as a noun for the shellfish or a verb meaning to wrinkle; often poetic or regional in usage.

Common Phrases:

warm the cockles of one's heart, cockles and mussels

Etymology:

From Old French "coquille," meaning shell, derived from Latin "conchylia," from Greek "konkhylion."

Examples:

  • 1. She found a tiny cockle on the sandy beach.
  • 2. The fabric began to cockle after being left in the damp air.
  • 3. His kindness warmed the cockles of her heart.
  • 4. We collected cockles and mussels by the shore at low tide.

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