soft-shell clam

noun

1. an edible clam, Mya arenaria, inhabiting waters along both coasts of North America, having an oval, relatively thin, whitish shell.

soft-shell clam

noun

1. any of several marine clams of the genus Mya , esp M. arenaria, an edible species of coastal regions of the US and Europe, having a thin brittle shell Sometimes shortened tosoft-shell Compare quahog

Word History and Origins

Origin of soft-shell clam¹

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

The soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria, has been an important article of food, but the valves are not serviceable in the arts.

From Project Gutenberg