pennywinkle
definition
a small freshwater mollusk often used as bait
example
The fisherman decided to use pennywinkles as bait to attract the larger fish in the lake.
synonyms
molluskinvertebrategastropod
word origin — The term 'pennywinkle' is derived from the Middle English term 'penne' and 'wink' (to wink or twist), reflecting the creature's small size and twisted shell.