noun
- small edible saltwater clams with heart-shaped ribbed shells
- the heart or one’s deepest feelings
Usage: idiomatic; usually in phrase ‘warm the cockles of one’s heart’
Examples
- We gathered cockles from the sandy beach at low tide.
- The fisherman sold fresh cockles at the market.
- Cockles are often used in seafood stews and chowders.
- The story warmed the cockles of her heart.
- His kindness touched the cockles of my heart.
- The ribbed shells of cockles are easily recognizable.
- Nothing warms the cockles like a good deed.