sea purse

noun

the seaward undercurrent created after waves have broken on the shore

• Syn: ↑undertow, ↑sea puss, ↑sea-puss, ↑sea-purse, ↑sea-poose

• Hypernyms: ↑undertide, ↑undercurrent

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noun

1. : the horny egg case of skates and of some sharks that is usually of quadrangular outline with the angles produced into filaments by which it becomes attached (as to seaweeds) and that commonly contains but one egg or embryo

2. : a coenocytic marine green alga of the genus Codium resembling a sponge

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the horny egg case of certain rays and sharks.

[1800-10]

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sea purse noun

1. The tough horny egg case of certain sharks, skates or rays, a mermaid's purse

2. A small whirlpool formed by the meeting of two waves at an angle, dangerous to bathers (US)

• • •

Main Entry: ↑sea

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sea purse,

the horny case or pouch that skates, rays, or certain sharks secrete around their eggs to protect them and anchor them especially to rocks or weeds.