ˈmyu̇ˌreks noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, purple shell; akin to Greek myak-, myax sea-mussel, and probably to Latin mur-, mus mouse — more at mouse
1.
a. capitalized : a genus (the type of the family Muricidae) of marine gastropods having a rough and often spinose shell and abounding in tropical seas
b. plural mu·ri·ces -u̇rəˌsēz or murexes : any mollusk of this genus or of the family Muricidae formerly much valued as the chief source of Tyrian purple dye
2. plural murices or murexes : a shell used as a trumpet