clamshell

• Nom désignant d'une part la coquille d'un mollusque (notamment de bivalve) et d'autre part un godet ou une benne à mâchoires articulées, dont les deux parties s'ouvrent et se ferment comme une coquille.

A noun referring to the shell of a clam, or a dredging bucket with hinges resembling a clam's shell.

1. Shell of a clamB1formal

   The hard, hinged outer covering of a clam, often used as a container or decorative item.

   Coquille de palourde

   • She collected a beautiful clamshell on the beach.
   • The clamshell was used as a serving dish for the appetizer.
   • He found a fossilized clamshell in the rock formation.

   Synonymesshell

2. Dredging bucketC1formal

   A type of bucket used in dredging that has two hinged halves that close together like a clam's shell to scoop up material.

   Benne preneuse

   • The construction crew used a clamshell to excavate the riverbed.
   • The clamshell bucket lifted tons of sand from the harbor floor.
   • The operator skillfully maneuvered the clamshell to clear the debris.

   Synonymesgrab