1. A predatory sea snail with a spiny or ridged shell, found in warm waters.
Usage: Often used in zoology and marine biology contexts.
2. A purple dye obtained from certain murex snails, highly valued in ancient times.
Usage: Historical; also called Tyrian purple.

Examples

• The murex snail uses its long siphon to hunt for prey on the ocean floor.
• Ancient Romans prized the purple dye extracted from murex shells.
• Divers discovered several murex specimens clinging to the rocky reef.
• The murex's shell is covered with distinctive spines and ridges.
• Tyrian purple, derived from murex snails, was once worth more than gold.