conchologist 1. A collector and student of mollusc shells. 2. Someone who is a specialist in the branch of zoology that deals with the study of mollusks and shells. 3. A name given to the carrier-shell molluscs, based on their habit of attaching other shells, stones, etc., to their own shells. Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/532/2