What is a sink? When we hear this word, we immediately recall the inhabitants of the seabed with a kind of house, as well as a plumbing fixture. However, this is not the end of his interpretation. Let's see how many meanings of the word "sink".
What is said in the dictionary?
The meaning of the word “shell” in the explanatory dictionary is very diverse and is as follows:
- Protective skeletal formation covering the body of invertebrate animals from the outside.
- A plumbing fixture in the form of a bowl and a hole designed to drain fluid.
- The outer part of the ear, consisting of cartilage.
- Extraneous inclusions of borehole rocks inside the stone.
- In metal science, a defect in the casting, which is the formation of an unwanted cavity.
- Weather canopy in the form of a curved surface, which is convex upward.
- One of the elements of protective sports equipment used, for example, in martial arts, in hockey.
- A marine term for an overhang aboard a sailing vessel in the stern, where sanitary equipment was located.
Spelling
How is the word "shell" spelled? The second unstressed syllable “kov” is written through the letter “o”. There is no verification word in this case. In order not to be mistaken in the spelling, you need to remember that in the structure of this token there is only a root - “shells”, written through “o”, and the ending “a”.
Next, we consider in more detail some of the meanings of the word “sink”.
Clamshell
What is the shell of mollusks and other animals? In this case, it, in fact, is an external skeleton, which serves as a cover for the body of both some invertebrates and microorganisms, performing a protective function. Shells are studied by such a science as conchology (from the ancient Greek κόγχη - “shell”). Of greatest interest from the point of view of collectors, as well as in terms of practical use, are mollusk shells.
In geology, shells have a certain value. Their accumulation plays an important role in the formation of various types of rocks and bottom sediments. For example, during the accumulation of skeletons of diatoms, silts are formed, which subsequently turn into sedimentary rocks such as tripoli, flask and diatomite. The accumulation of plankton shells and mollusks is formed by limestones and other types of silts.
In addition to practical value, sinks carry an aesthetic principle. With their beauty, perfection, sophistication and variety of forms, they make an unforgettable impression on people of all ages. It is not surprising that such a fabulous beauty attracts the eye and bewitches, being among some peoples a symbol of happiness and wealth.
Auricle
What is an auricle? This is the outer part of the ear in humans and animals. In Latin it is called pinna, which is translated into Russian as “feather”. Its base is an elastic cartilage that forms characteristic protrusions and ridges. Its outer and upper edges form a curl, parallel to which (near the ear canal) is a protector.
It bends around the bottom of the auditory meatus (its external opening) and forms a pair of protrusions: the posterior is the anti-tragus and the front is the tragus. The lower part of the shell, soft and fleshy, in which there is no cartilage base, is called the earlobe. There are six muscles in the muscles of the auricle, which are very poorly developed. They are attached to the cartilage of the ear canal, ensuring its immobility.
In acoustic terms, the profile of the ear shell has an auxiliary function, designed to determine the direction from which the sound comes. This has to do with distinguishing whether the sound is from above-below or from behind-front. But for determining the origin of sound left or right, other mechanisms are already responsible.
Auricles are purely individual formations, the same as fingerprints. They are small and large, protruding and adjacent. In forensic practice, there are tools that make it possible to identify a person by the shape of the shell, as well as by the hills and depressions inherent in its profile.
Sink in the plumbing
What is a sanitary sink? It is a container, similar to a large bowl, used for hygiene of the face, hands, as well as for washing items of small size. As a rule, sinks are equipped with taps that regulate the supply of cold and hot water. They have a drain to remove used fluid. Sometimes they are equipped with soap dispensers.
The drain of water into the sewer is usually equipped with a siphon, that is, a water seal. It is designed to prevent odors from entering the sewer system. It is located under the sink, collecting accumulated solid debris, which can lead to blockage of the pipe. Therefore, the knee at the siphon is easily disassembled in case of the necessary quick cleaning. Sometimes the sink is equipped with a hydrophobic coating, which facilitates its washing.
Materials and sizes
For the manufacture of sinks, a lot of different materials are used, which include: ceramics, marble, stainless steel, glass, plastic, granite. Stainless steel products are widely used in kitchens and in commercial structures. The reason for this is the compromise that they form between their durability, convenience, ease of cleaning and cost.
Such shells are free from damage by hot or cold water, blows. But one of their drawbacks is the increased formation of noise during use in comparison with sinks made of other materials. Against this, there is such a technique as the use of noise-absorbing materials in the lower part of the product.
Ceramic sinks for installation in the bathroom are very popular. Being durable and heavy, they can be made in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors. Like stainless steel sinks, they are very resistant to temperature changes, but they are damaged by shock.
Here are some parameters specific to sanitary sinks:
- The size of the wash bowl is from 35 x 25 to 55 x 35 cm at the sinks, especially for washing hands.
- In normal shells - from 49 x 40 to 68 x 49 cm.
- The height of the sink in private homes is 83 - 86 cm. Options are possible depending on the individual parameters of the bodies of users.