oyster

[ oi-ster ]

noun

1. any of several edible, marine, bivalve mollusks of the family Ostreidae, having an irregularly shaped shell, occurring on the bottom or adhering to rocks or other objects in shallow water.
2. the oyster-shaped bit of dark meat in the front hollow of the side bone of a fowl.
3. Slang. a closemouthed or uncommunicative person, especially one who keeps secrets well.
4. something from which a person may extract or derive advantage:

   The world is my oyster.

5. oyster white.

verb (used without object)

1. to dredge for or otherwise take oysters.

oyster

/ ˈɔɪstə /

noun

1. 1. any edible marine bivalve mollusc of the genus Ostrea, having a rough irregularly shaped shell and occurring on the sea bed, mostly in coastal waters
   2. ( as modifier )

      oyster farm

      oyster knife

2. any of various similar and related molluscs, such as the pearl oyster and the saddle oyster ( Anomia ephippium )
3. the oyster-shaped piece of dark meat in the hollow of the pelvic bone of a fowl
4. something from which advantage, delight, profit, etc, may be derived

   the world is his oyster

5. informal.
   a very uncommunicative person

verb

1. intr to dredge for, gather, or raise oysters

Word History and Origins

Origin of oyster¹

1325–75; Middle English oistre < Middle French < Latin ostrea < Greek óstreon; ostracize

Word History and Origins

Origin of oyster¹

C14 oistre, from Old French uistre, from Latin ostrea, from Greek ostreon; related to Greek osteon bone, ostrakon shell

Idioms and Phrases

see world is one's oyster .

Example Sentences

And if everything else I know of him were not enough, Chef Warren Leruth invented the masterpiece that is Oyster Artichoke Soup, though he called it Potage LeRuth, and for me that is a crowning jewel of his most esteemed accomplishments.

From Salon

Oyster Artichoke Soup, or as it was known, Potage Leruth, was a menu staple at the restaurant and an absolute overnight sensation.

From Salon

Use up to 3 1/2 to 4 cups oyster liquor.

From Salon

Add combined oyster liquor and chicken broth, bay leaf, and a handful of chopped green parts of green onions, and bring to a low boil.

From Salon

The need for additional salt can change quite a lot according to your proportion of chicken broth to oyster liquor.

From Salon

Related Words

• clam
• conch
• crawfish
• crustacean
• lobster
• mollusk
• mussel
• prawn
• scallop
• shrimp
• snail