Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
KOO-SHELL, n.comb. Also ku-shall. A large shell, the Venus islandica (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1960). Cf. Koofie.
[Norw. kuskjel, Icel. kúskel, id., from kú-, cow, the shells being used in children's games to represent cattle.]