Shell medium-sized for genus, angular fusiform, thick, solid, with approximately 10 well-inflated whorls. Adult shells ranging in size from approximately 90 to 170 mm length, with average of 138.2 mm (n = 7). Protoconch (eroded in most material examined, but smooth and glassy; slightly taller than wide, approximately 0.7 mm in maximum diameter, with two complete whorls and no apparent varix at transition to teleoconch. Profile of teleoconch whorls smoothly rounded to strongly angular. Spiral sculpture of numerous slender and sharp to thick and rounded cords, irregularly spaced, varying considerably in breadth and occasionally forming major-minor pairs. Single cord at periphery slightly to strongly pronounced, occasionally carinate, with gentle axial ribs and/or prominent lobes also present to varying degrees. Occasionally pair of peripheral spiral cords of equal prominence present on earlier teleoconch whorls. Interstices of cords bear numerous fine axial growth lines. First eight whorls bear axial ribs varying in number from 11 to 14 per whorl; ribs usually obsolete in penultimate whorl and absent from body whorl, though persisting in some cases as lobes on peripheral spiral cord. Ribs on early whorls evenly spaced, with peaks and troughs of roughly equal breadth.
Aperture ovate, but with pointed upper extremity and usually oblate between periphery and suture; thin, sharp-edged parietal shield appears at maturity, with detached parietal margin that may extend some way down siphonal canal. Interior of aperture glossy, with fine spiral cords on inner labral surface; cords correspond in position and number to troughs between exterior cords. Cords within aperture of adult specimens becoming bifurcate close to labral margin. Dentition present on labral margin in adults; position of broad, triangular teeth corresponds to interstices of external spiral cords. Neck thick, tapering strongly to fragile tip; gentle constriction present due to recurvature, usually confined to distal third but occasionally starting nearer aperture.
Prototoconch and first 4-5 whorls pale brown; teleoconch otherwise usually white, though with occasional blue or gray cast on upper whorls. Brown axial stains occasionally present on teleoconch; some specimens also bear brown or gray staining between axial ribs, especially on earlier whorls, and narrow to broad brown spiral bands occasionally occur. Aperture white; periostracum buff to brown with dense thorns arranged in axial rows corresponding to growth margin. Operculum typical for genus: thin, brown and chitinous, with nucleus situated at pointed terminus.