razor clam

razor clam
any bivalve mollusk of the family Solenidae, esp. of the genus Ensis, having a long, rectangular, slightly curved shell. Also called jackknife clam.
[1880-85, Amer.]

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Any of several species of marine clams (family Solenidae) common in intertidal sands and muds, particularly of temperate seas.

Razor clams have narrow and elongated shells (shaped like straight razors) up to 8 in. (20 cm) long. A large active foot enables them to move rapidly up and down within their burrow and retreat quickly when disturbed. With their short siphons (tubes) they feed on particulate material in seawater. Some species can swim short distances by jetting water through their siphons.

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clam
      any of the species of marine bivalve mollusks of the family Solenidae. In England the species of the genera Ensis and Solen are called razor shells. The Solenidae are common in intertidal sands and muds, particularly of temperate seas. These bivalves have narrow and elongated razorlike shells up to about 20 cm (8 inches) long. They have a large active foot that enables them to move rapidly up and down within their burrows and retreat very quickly when disturbed. With their short siphons, they feed on particulate material in seawater. Some species are able to swim for short distances by jetting water through the siphons.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Razor clam — may refer to any of the following clams:* Ensis directus , Atlantic jackknife clam * Siliqua patula , Pacific razor clam * Siliqua alta , the northern or Arctic razor clam * Siliqua costata , Atlantic razor clamSee also Razor shell …   Wikipedia

  • razor clam — Razor Ra zor (r[=a] z[ e]r), n. [OE. rasour, OF. rasur, LL. rasor: cf. F. rasoir, LL. rasorium. See {Raze}, v. t., {Rase}, v. t.] 1. A keen edged knife of peculiar shape, used in shaving the hair from the face or the head; also called a {straight …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • razor clam — ☆ razor clam n. any of several rapidly burrowing clams (esp. family Solenidae) of sandy beaches, having elongated, narrow shells somewhat resembling a straight razor …   English World dictionary

  • Razor Clam — Razor Clam, s. Clams …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • razor clam — noun marine clam having a long narrow curved thin shell • Syn: ↑jackknife clam, ↑knife handle • Hypernyms: ↑clam • Member Holonyms: ↑Ensis, ↑genus Ensis * * * ˈrazor shell 7 …   Useful english dictionary

  • razor clam — ra′zor clam n. ivt any narrow, elongated bivalve mollusk of the family Solenidae, having a shell with razor sharp edges • Etymology: 1880–85, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • razor clam — noun A clam of several species with long curved shells resembling straight razors …   Wiktionary

  • razor clam — n. type of mollusc (also known as jackknife clam) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • razor clam — noun North American term for razor shell …   English new terms dictionary

  • razor clam — noun Date: circa 1882 any of a family (Solenidae) of marine lamellibranch mollusks having a long narrow thin shell …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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