clamshell
[
klam
-shel]
/ˈklæmˌʃɛl/
noun
1.
the shell of a clam.
2.
Machinery
.
Also called
clamshell bucket
. a dredging bucket opening at the bottom, consisting of two similar pieces hinged together at the top.
a machine equipped with such a bucket.
3.
Printing.
a platen press.
Origin
1490-1500;
earlier
clam-shell;
see
clam
1
,
shell
British Dictionary definitions for
clam shells
clamshell
/
ˈklæmˌʃɛl
/
noun
1.
(
mainly US
) a dredging bucket that is hinged like the shell of a clam
2.
(
aeronautics
)
an aircraft cockpit canopy hinged at the front and rear
the hinged door of a cargo aircraft
another name for
eyelid
(sense 2)
3.
any of a variety of objects hinged like the shell of a clam, such as a container for takeaway food, a portable computer, etc
Slang definitions & phrases for
clam shells
clam shells
noun phrase
The mouth and jaws
(1830+)