1
- a marine bivalve mollusc with shells of equal size蛤。
1.1
- Subclass Heterodonta: several families and numerous species, including the edible North American hardshell clam (see QUAHOG) and softshell clam.异齿亚纲, 数科, 众多种, 包括可食用的北美硬壳蛤（见QUAHOG）和软壳蛤。参见GIANT CLAM.
1.2
- informal any of a number of edible bivalve molluscs, e.g. a scallop〈非正式〉可食用的双壳软体动物（如扇贝）。
(clammed, clamming)no obj.
1
- chiefly N. Amer. dig for or collect clams〈主北美〉挖蛤; 拾蛤。
2
clam up
informal abruptly stop talking, either for fear of revealing a secret or from shyness〈非正式〉（因害怕揭秘、害羞而）突然住口。
词源
early 16th cent.: apparently from earlier clam 'a clamp', from Old English clam, clamm 'a bond or bondage', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch klemme, German Klemme, also to CLAMP1 .