hard-shell clam

Thân thiện

A child finds a hard-shell clam on the sandy beach.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An edible American clam species: A type of clam native to the Atlantic coast of North America, known for its thick, durable shell.
   • A marine bivalve mollusk: Specifically refers to the species Mercenaria mercenaria, also commonly known as the quahog, littleneck clam, or cherrystone clam.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The chef sourced fresh hard-shell clams for the seafood stew.
  • We dug for hard-shell clams in the sandy flats during low tide.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term can reference the historical use of the clam's shell.
  • Wampum, a form of currency for some American Indian tribes, was often made from the purple and white parts of the hard-shell clam.

Variants and Related Words

• Quahog (n): Another common name for the same species of hard-shell clam.
• Littleneck clam (n): A smaller, younger hard-shell clam, typically eaten raw or steamed.
• Cherrystone clam (n): A medium-sized hard-shell clam, often used for clams on the half shell.
• Chowder clam (n): A larger, older hard-shell clam, typically used in cooked dishes like chowders.

Synonyms

• Mercenaria mercenaria: The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
• Round clam: A descriptive synonym referencing its shape.

Related Phrases

• Hard-shell clam digging: The activity of harvesting these clams from tidal areas.
• Hard-shell clam bake: A social gathering or method of cooking where clams are steamed, often with other seafood.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an edible American clam; the heavy shells were used as money by some American Indians
2. Atlantic coast round clams with hard shells; large clams usually used for chowders or other clam dishes

Từ đồng nghĩa

• quahog
• quahaug
• hard clam
• round clam
• Venus mercenaria
• Mercenaria mercenaria