clam

views updated Jun 08 2018

clam / klam/ • n. 1. a marine bivalve mollusk (subclass Heterodonta) with shells of equal size. ∎ inf. any of a number of edible bivalve mollusks, e.g., a scallop. 2. inf. a dollar. 3. colloq. a shy or withdrawn person.• v. (clammed , clamming ) [intr.] 1. dig for or collect clams. 2. (clam up) inf. abruptly stop talking, either for fear of revealing a secret or from shyness.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

clam

views updated May 17 2018

clam a marine bivalve mollusc with shells of equal size, taken as the type of something which silently withdraws into itself from contact with another. The name is recorded from the early 16th century and apparently comes from earlier clam ‘a clamp’, from Old English clam, clamm ‘a bond or bondage’.
happy as a clam at high tide in North American usage, very happy.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

clam

views updated May 23 2018

clam Bivalve mollusc found mainly in marine waters. It is usually partly buried in sand or mud with the two parts of the shell slightly open for feeding. With a large foot for burrowing, its soft, flat body lies between two muscles for opening and closing the shells. A fleshy part called the mantle, lies next to the shells. Clams feed on plankton. Class Pelecypoda.

World Encyclopedia

clam

views updated Jun 27 2018

clam clamp XIV; bivalve shell-fish XVI (clamshell). OE. clam bond, fetter, corr. to OHG. klamma (G. dial. klamm), and MHG., G. klemme, Du. klemme, klem, f. Gmc. *klam- press or squeeze together.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

Clam

views updated Jun 08 2018

Clam

a stack or pile of bricks; a heap of oysters.

Examples: clam of bricks, 1663; of earth, 1554; of oysters.

Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms

CLAM

views updated May 14 2018

CLAM (klæm) chemical ramjet low-altitude missile

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH