1
- any of a number of bivalve molluscs with rough irregular shells. Several kinds are eaten (especially raw) as a delicacy and may be farmed for food or pearls牡蛎, 蚝。
1.1
- a true oyster (family Ostreidae), in particular the edible common European oyster (Ostrea edulis) and American oyster (Crassostrea virginica).真牡蛎（牡蛎科）, 尤指可食用的食用牡蛎（拉丁名Ostrea edulis）及贞洁巨牡蛎（拉丁名Crassostrea virginica）。
1.2
- with modifier a similar bivalve of another family, in particular the thorny oysters (Spondylidae), wing oysters (Pteriidae), and saddle oysters (Anomiidae)牡蛎状双壳类软体动物, 尤指棘牡蛎（海菊蛤科）, 翅牡蛎（珍珠贝科）及马鞍牡蛎（不等蛤科）。
2
- （亦作oyster white）[mass noun] a shade of greyish white牡蛎白。
3
- an oyster-shaped morsel of meat on each side of the backbone in poultry（鸡脊骨两边的）蚝状鸡背肉。
no obj.(一般作noun oystering)
- raise, dredge, or gather oysters养殖（或采捞、采集）牡蛎：
oystering is still the lifeblood of this town.
牡蛎养殖依然是这个镇子赖以生存的产业。
短语
the world is your oyster
- you are in a position to take the opportunities that life has to offer你可随心所欲了。
- [ORIGIN: from Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor （ii. ii. 5）.]
词源
Middle English: from Old French oistre, via Latin from Greek ostreon; related to osteon 'bone' and ostrakon 'shell or tile'.