Definition: shell (literally and figuratively)

J'ai trouvé une coquille à la plage - I found a shell at the beach.

Elle rentre dans sa coquille quand les mecs lui parlent - She withdraws into her shell when guys talk to her.

Related:

• le coquillage - shellfish
• coquillettes (f) - pasta shells
• coquillier (adj) - conchiferous

(click the little graphic below to hear the Mot du jour pronounced)
Pronunciation: [kuh keey]