any of a family (Haliotidae) of edible gastropod sea mollusks with an oval, somewhat spiral shell perforated near the edge and lined with mother-of-pearl
Origin of abaloneCalif. Mexican Spanish aulón ; from Costanoan (a Penutian language) aulun
Any of various large edible marine gastropods of the genus Haliotis, having an ear-shaped shell with a row of holes along the outer edge. The colorful pearly interior of the shell is often used for making ornaments. Also called ear shell.
Origin of abaloneAmerican Spanish abulón, from Rumsen (Penutian language of the Monterey Bay area) aulon.
(usually uncountable, plural abalones)