hard-shell clam

/hɑrd ʃɛl klæm/

Definitions of hard-shell clam

1. noun

   an edible American clam; the heavy shells were used as money by some American Indians
   synonyms: Mercenaria mercenaria, Venus mercenaria, hard clam, quahaug, quahog, round clam

   types:

   littleneck, littleneck clam

   a young quahog

   cherrystone, cherrystone clam

   a half-grown quahog

   type of:

   clam

   burrowing marine mollusk living on sand or mud; the shell closes with viselike firmness
2. noun

   Atlantic coast round clams with hard shells; large clams usually used for chowders or other clam dishes
   synonyms: quahaug, quahog, round clam

   types:

   littleneck, littleneck clam

   a quahog when young and small; usually eaten raw; an important food popular in New York

   cherrystone, cherrystone clam

   small quahog larger than a littleneck; eaten raw or cooked as in e.g. clams casino

   type of:

   clam

   flesh of either hard-shell or soft-shell clams