1. Plural of dentalium; small, tusk-shaped marine shells of mollusks in the family Dentaliidae, historically used as currency and ornaments by Pacific Northwest Native American peoples.
Usage: Also called tooth shells or tusk shells; Primarily used in anthropological and historical contexts

Examples

• Dentaliums were highly valued as a form of wealth among Pacific Northwest tribes.
• The museum displayed a collection of dentaliums used in traditional trade.
• Archaeologists found dentaliums buried with artifacts from ancient settlements.
• Dentaliums served as both currency and decorative elements in Native American cultures.
• The shells of dentaliums are naturally curved and resemble small tusks.