What is a shell? When we hear this word, we immediately remember the inhabitants of the seabed, who have a kind of house, as well as a plumbing fixture. However, this interpretation does not end there. Let's see how many meanings the word "shell" has.
What does the dictionary say?
The meaning of the word "shell" in the explanatory dictionary is very diverse and looks like this:
- Protective skeletal formation that covers the outside of the body of invertebrates.
- A plumbing fixture that looks like a bowl and has a hole designed to drain fluid.
- The outer part of the ear, made up of cartilage.
- Foreign inclusions of boreholes inside the stone.
- In metal science, a defect in a casting, which is the formation of an unwanted cavity.
- A weather canopy shaped like a curved surface that curves upwards.
- One of the elements of protective sports equipment used, for example, inmartial arts, hockey.
- A nautical term for an overhang aboard a sailboat in the aft area where sanitary facilities were located.
Spelling
How do you spell the word "shell"? The second unstressed syllable "kov" is written through the letter "o". There is no check word in this case. In order not to make mistakes in spelling, you need to remember that this lexeme contains only the root - “shells”, written through “o”, and the ending “a”.
Next, let's take a closer look at some of the meanings of the word "shell".
Clam shell
What is a shell in molluscs and other animals? In this case, it, in fact, is an external skeleton that serves as a cover for the body of both some invertebrates and microorganisms, performing a protective function. Shells are studied by such a science as conchiology (from the ancient Greek κόγχη - "shell"). Of greatest interest from the point of view of collectors, as well as in terms of practical use, are mollusk shells.
In geology, shells have a certain meaning. Their accumulation plays an important role in the formation of various types of rocks and bottom sediments. So, for example, with the accumulation of skeletons of diatoms, silts are formed, which subsequently turn into such sedimentary rocks as tripoli, flask and diatomite. The accumulation of plankton shells, mollusks form limestone and other types of silt.
In addition to practical value, shells carry andaesthetic start. With their beauty, perfection, refinement and variety of forms, they make an unforgettable impression on people of all ages. It is not surprising that such fabulous beauty attracts the eye and fascinates, being among some nations a symbol of happiness and we alth.
Auricle
What is an auricle? This is the outer part of the ear in humans and animals. In Latin, it is called pinna, which means “feather” in Russian. Its base is elastic cartilage that forms characteristic projections and ridges. Its outer and upper edges form a curl, parallel to which (near the ear canal) is the antihelix.
It goes around the bottom of the ear canal (its external opening) and forms a pair of protrusions: the back - the anti-tragus and the front - the tragus. The lower part of the shell, soft and fleshy, in which there is no cartilaginous base, is called the earlobe. In the muscles of the auricle there are six muscles that are very poorly developed. They are attached to the cartilage of the ear canal, ensuring its immobility.
In acoustic terms, the profile of the ear shell has an auxiliary function designed to determine the direction from which the sound comes. It has to do with distinguishing whether the sound comes from top-bottom or back-to-front. But for determining the origin of the sound on the left or right, other mechanisms are already responsible.
Auricles are purely individual formations, the same as fingerprints. They are small and large, protrudingand adjacent. In forensic practice, there are tools that make it possible to identify a person by the shape of the shell, as well as by the heights and depressions inherent in its profile.
Sink in plumbing
What is a sanitary sink? It is a bowl-like container used for face and hand hygiene, as well as for washing small items. As a rule, sinks are equipped with faucets that regulate the supply of cold and hot water. They have a drain to remove the used liquid. Sometimes they are equipped with soap dispensers.
The flow of water into the sewer is mainly equipped with a siphon, that is, a water seal. It is designed to prevent odors from entering the premises from the sewer system. It is located under the sink, collecting accumulated solid debris, which can lead to clogging of the pipe. Therefore, the knee at the siphon is made easily disassembled in case of necessary quick cleaning. Sometimes the sink is equipped with a hydrophobic coating that makes it easier to clean.
Materials and dimensions
For the manufacture of sinks, a lot of different materials are used, which include: ceramics, marble, stainless steel, glass, plastic, granite. Stainless steel products are widely used in kitchens and commercial structures. The reason for this is the trade-off they make between durability, comfort, ease of cleaning and cost.
Such shellsspared from damage by hot or cold water, blows. But one of their drawbacks is the increased noise generation during use compared to sinks made of other materials. Against this, there is such a technique as the use of noise-absorbing materials at the bottom of the product.
Ceramic sinks for installation in the bathroom are very popular. Being strong and heavy, they can be produced in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors. Like stainless steel sinks, they are highly resistant to temperature changes, but are susceptible to impact damage.
Here are some parameters specific to sanitary sinks:
- The size of the bowl for washing is from 35 x 25 to 55 x 35 cm at the sinks purely for washing hands.
- For normal sinks - from 49 x 40 to 68 x 49 cm.
- The height of the sink in private homes is 83 - 86 cm. Options are possible depending on the individual parameters of the users' bodies.
