Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Columbella \Col`um*bel"la\, n. [NL., dim. of L. columba a dove.
   So called from a fancied resemblance in color and form, of
   some species.] (Zo["o]l.)
   A genus of univalve shells, abundant in tropical seas. Some
   species, as {Columbella mercatoria}, were formerly used as
   shell money.