soft-shell clam

noun

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

Also called long clam, long-neck clam, soft clam, steamer, steamer clam.

Origin

1790-1800, Americanism

British Dictionary definitions for soft-shell clam

soft-shell clam

noun

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 to soft-shell Compare quahog