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mussel definition

mus·sel (mus′əl)

noun

any of various bivalve mollusks; specif.,
  1. any of a sometimes edible saltwater family (Mytilidae) that anchors to rocks, ships, etc. by byssus threads
  2. any of a freshwater family (Unionidae) that is large-sized, may produce pearls, and is used to make buttons

Etymology: ME muscle < OE, akin to OHG muscula, both < VL *muscula, for L musculus, mussel, muscle

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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