chicken shell

English

Noun

chicken shell (plural chicken shells)

1. The shell of young oysters, harvested for pearls and for use in ornamental work.
   • 1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 274:

     Port Essington, one of the "likeliest" places, proved its reputation, and the fishers raised what is known as the best kind of "chicken shell" without any diving appliances whatever.