Sekirov Dictionary

clamshell

noun 8
verb 4
forms 3

noun8

The shell of a clam.
•
Any object that, in (literal or figurative) resemblance to the shell of a clam, has a hinge on one edge and two surfaces that close together.
- You'll find a mix among clamshell laptops for strong laps, lunchboxes, and sewing-machine configurations; the latter two designs typically have detachable keyboards. — 1988
A dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam.
In food service, the closing box (usually styrofoam but sometimes cardboard) given to consumers with takeout food.
A hinged case for a video tape, cassette tape, or video game cartridge.
•
(slang, disapproving) A person's mouth.
- Shut your clamshell!
[before a noun] Any object with some other resemblance to either one or both halves of the shell of a clam.
[before a noun] An amphitheater, especially an outdoor amphitheater; the semi-circular acoustic backdrop behind and above the performers.

verb4

•
To open or close by means of a hinge, similar to the way a clamshell opens and closes.
- To avoid getting clamshelled, first check the seat pins, then climb in before you pin the canopy. — 1994
•
To dig out by means of a clamshell (dredging bucket).
- The additional handling that it would get by the canal would be: One dumping from the pockets into the canal barge, one clamshelling out of the canal barge, and one dumping onto the dock. — 1916
•
To deform a die in a shape resembling the shell of a clam, as a result of uneven extrusion pressure.
- However, this solution is more susceptible to clamshelling, as the land length is particularly large at the centre. — 2012
To compress or flatten underwater debris so as to avoid blocking a channel.

forms

clamshelled · clamshelling · clamshells

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