clam
clam
Definition
clam (klam)
- any of various hard-shell, usually edible, bivalve mollusks, some of which live in the shallows of the sea, others in fresh water
- the soft, edible part of such a mollusk
- Informal a reticent or taciturn person
- ☆ clamshell (sense )
- ☆ Slang
- a dollar
- Jazz a misplayed note
Etymology: < obs. clam, clamp (< OE clamm, bond, fetter: for IE base see climb); with ref. to the action of the shells
clam up
☆Informal to keep silent or refuse to talk
clam
Synonyms
clam
n.
clam
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- remain: There were still 7 minutes remaining and everyone, not least the players, needed to remain clam but how could you?
- have: If you have been employed in one of the industries mentioned above, then you could have a very strong clam.
Adjective modifier
- giant: At the bottom of the ocean we saw a giant clam next to a box of treasure.
- poor: Do you feel very sad, and say ' ' poor clam ' ' ?
Modifies a noun
- chowder: Boston, one of the oldest seaports in America, makes what the locals consider the finest clam chowder in the United States.
- shell: They prop them open with sticks during the day, looking like giant clam shells, then drop them down at night.
- design: Samsung first impressed us with the clam shell design with it's silver, designer looking sleekness.
- juice: Stir in the clam juice or fish stock off the heat.
- phone: Rating: Reviewed by Clare from UK on 8th Jan 2005 Love this phone, no more bulky than some clam phones.
- type: To the right, around the corner is a clam type thing with a pearl in it's mouth.
Noun used with modifier
- razor: How many inches down can a razor clam dig in a minute?
Browse dictionary entries near clam
- clairvoyantly
- clairvoyant
- clairvoyance
- Claire
- clairaudience
- claiming race
- claimer
- claimant
- claimable
- claim for relief
