Ear-shaped marine shellfish, yielding mother-of-pearl; ear-shell.
Edible marine snail of the worldwide genus Haliotis, family Haliotidae. Abalones have flattened, oval, spiraled shells, which have holes around the outer edge and a bluish mother-of-pearl lining. This lining is used in ornamental work.Any of various large edible marine gastropods of the genus Heliotis having an ear-shaped shell with pearly interior; SYN. ear-shell.