a bivalve mollusc belonging to the family Veneridæ or related species; a venus, murex, or cowry.

Any of several edible bivalve molluscs: †(a) British regional a scallop of the genus Chlamys, and the surf clam, Spisula solida (obsolete); (b) Nort…

(see quot. 1658).

A name applied to various bivalve shellfish. In North America, applied esp. to two species, the Hard or Round Clam (Venus mercenaria), and the…

An earlier name of the edible Clams of North America.

A cowrie, Trivia monacha, whose small, ribbed, oval shell is coffee-coloured with three purple spots; the shell itself.

An edible carpet shell, Tapes (or Venerupis) decussata (family Veneriidae), found in the Mediterranean and off the Atlantic coast of Africa. Also…

(see quot. and purr, n.4).

Zoology. A genus of bivalve molluscs typically representing the family Veneridae; a member of this genus or family; a venerid. Cf. clam, n.2 1d.

A large, rounded, edible clam, Mercenaria (formerly Venus) mercenaria (family Veneridae), of the Atlantic coast of North America. Also called hard…

Esp. in French cookery: an edible carpet shell or Venus clam (genus Venerupis). Cf. pullet, n. 3, purr, n.4

In full littleneck clam. A small individual of the quahog or hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria.

A bivalve mollusc of the family Veneridæ, of which Venus is the typical genus.