Clam (?), n. [Cf. Clamp,
Clam, v. t., Clammy.]
1. (Zoöl.) A bivalve mollusk of
many kinds, especially those that are edible; as, the long
clam (Mya arenaria), the quahog or round
clam (Venus mercenaria), the sea clam or hen
clam (Spisula solidissima), and other species of
the United States. The name is said to have been given originally
to the Tridacna gigas, a huge East Indian
bivalve.
You shall scarce find any bay or shallow shore, or
cove of sand, where you may not take many clampes, or
lobsters, or both, at your pleasure.
Capt. John Smith (1616).
Clams, or clamps, is a shellfish not
much unlike a cockle; it lieth under the sand.
Wood (1634).
2. (Ship Carp.) Strong pinchers
or forceps.
3. pl. (Mech.) A kind of
vise, usually of wood.
Blood clam. See under
Blood.
Clam, n. [Abbrev. fr.
clamor.] A crash or clangor made by ringing all the
bells of a chime at once. Nares.
Clam (clăm), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Clammed (klămd);
p. pr. & vb. n. Clamming.] [Cf. AS.
clæman to clam, smear; akin to Icel. kleima
to smear, OHG. kleimjan, chleimen, to defile, or E.
clammy.] To clog, as with glutinous or viscous
matter.
A swarm of wasps got into a honey pot, and there
they cloyed and clammed Themselves till there was no
getting out again.
L'Estrange.
Clam, v. i. To be moist or
glutinous; to stick; to adhere. [R.] Dryden
Clam, n. Claminess;
moisture. [R.] "The clam of death."
Carlyle.
Clam, v. t. & i. To produce,
in bell ringing, a clam or clangor; to cause to clang.
Nares.