'Cockle stairs' definitions:

Definition of 'Cockle stairs'

From: GCIDE
  • Cockle \Coc"kle\ (k[o^]k"k'l), n. [OE. cockes cockles, AS. s[=ae]coccas sea cockles, prob, from Celtic; cf. W. cocs cockles, Gael. cochull husk. Perh. influenced by F. coquille shell, a dim. from the root of E. conch. Cf. Coach.]
  • 1. (Zool.) A bivalve mollusk, with radiating ribs, of the genus Cardium, especially Cardium edule, used in Europe for food; -- sometimes applied to similar shells of other genera. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A cockleshell. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. The mineral black tourmaline or schorl; -- so called by the Cornish miners. --Raymond. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. The fire chamber of a furnace. [Eng.] --Knight. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A hop-drying kiln; an oast. --Knight. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. The dome of a heating furnace. --Knight. [1913 Webster]
  • Cockle hat, a hat ornamented with a cockleshell, the badge of a pilgrim. --Shak.
  • Cockle stairs, winding or spiral stairs. [1913 Webster]