also: ばい
noun
Japanese Babylon shell; Japanese ivory shell
A species of sea snail (Babylonia japonica). Used in cooking and traditionally for making spinning tops.
バイのつぼ焼きは酒のつまみに最高だ。
Grilled Babylon shell is great with sake.
noun
spinning top (made from a Babylon shell)
Abbreviation of 貝独楽 (ばいごま). Refers to a traditional spinning top crafted from a Babylon shell.
See also: 貝独楽
昔の子供はバイでよく遊んだものだ。
Children in the old days often played with spinning tops made from Babylon shells.
Full term for the spinning top; バイ is the abbreviation.
The word is of uncertain origin, possibly from the shell's name. The spinning top sense is an abbreviation of 貝独楽.