Clam \Clam\, n. [Cf. Clamp, Clam, v. t., Clammy.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A bivalve mollusk of many kinds, especially
those that are edible; as, the long clam (Mya arenaria),
the quahog or round clam (Venus mercenaria), the sea
clam or hen clam (Spisula solidissima), and other
species of the United States. The name is said to have
been given originally to the Tridacna gigas, a huge East
Indian bivalve.
You shall scarce find any bay or shallow shore, or
cove of sand, where you may not take many clampes,
or lobsters, or both, at your pleasure. --Capt. John
Smith (1616).
Clams, or clamps, is a shellfish not much unlike a
coclke; it lieth under the sand. --Wood (1634).
2. (Ship Carp.) Strong pinchers or forceps.
3. pl. (Mech.) A kind of vise, usually of wood.
Blood clam. See under Blood.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Clam \Clam\ (cl[a^]m), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clammed; p. pr. &
vb. n. Clamming.]
[Cf. AS. cl[ae]man to clam, smear; akin
to Icel. kleima to smear, OHG. kleimjan, chleimen, to defile,
or E. clammy.]
To clog, as with glutinous or viscous matter.
A swarm of wasps got into a honey pot, and there they
cloyed and clammed Themselves till there was no getting
out again. --L'Estrange.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Clam \Clam\, v. t. & i.
To produce, in bell ringing, a clam or clangor; to cause to
clang. --Nares.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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