I. ˈkäŋ-kə noun
( plural con·chae -ˌkē, -ˌkī)
Etymology: Italian & Latin; Italian conca semidome, apse, from Late Latin concha, from Latin, shell
Date: circa 1639
1.
a. : the plain semidome of an apse
b. : apse
2. : something shaped like a shell ; especially : the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear
• con·chal -kəl adjective
II. ˈkän-chə noun
also con·cho -(ˌ)chō
Etymology: American Spanish concha, from Spanish, shell, from Late Latin conchula, diminutive of Latin concha
Date: 1887
: an ornamental disk (as on clothing or tack) of American Indian origin featuring a shell or flower design