Definition

A type of shell that is made up of two hinged parts, commonly found on clams and used in various devices for digging or dredging.

Example

The fisherman opened the clamshell to reveal the fresh clam inside.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a clamshell in action at the beach?

Yeah, they’re really interesting to watch, especially when they dig into the sand.

I love how they open and close, just like a real clamshell.

Exactly! It's fascinating how nature works.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Clamshell is formed from "clam" (from Old English *clam*, meaning a type of bivalve mollusk) and "shell" (from Old English *scealu*, meaning a protective outer covering). The word refers to the hard outer covering of a clam, which is a type of shellfish.

Memory Tip

Think of a clam, which is a type of mollusk, and its protective outer covering, the shell. This helps you remember that a clamshell is the shell of a clam.

Visually Confused Words