claire

plural claires

1. A small enclosed pond used for gathering and greening oysters.

   In order to prepare the ground of the claire for the reception of oysters, it must first be cleared of stones and all vegetation which may cover it, then the necessary slope from the center towards the sides may be given it.

   1891, William Keith Brooks, The Oyster: A Popular Summary of a Scientific Study, page 132

   1 more example

   A barrel of lime was spread around the edge of the claire, so as to be gradually washed into the water and furnish the material required by oysters in the fabrication of the shell. Until October the oysters in the claire remained exceedingly poor, […]

   1900, Report of the Commissioner, volume 25, United States. Bureau of Fisheries, page cxxxii

alternative Clare · alternative Clair · alternative Klaire · alternative Klair · alternative Klare

1. A female given name from French.

   A woman named Claire should be able to describe the moon. Clair de Lune was of course one of Claire's favourite pieces of piano music.

   2006, Wendy Harmer, Farewell My Ovaries, Allen&Unwin, →ISBN, page 93

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   "I told you I was called ,or that they called me Claire. Were you not surprised when you saw my name as Clarissa Lambert?" "Is that all?" I cried. "Why of course, I knew how common it is for actresses to take another name. I was even glad of it; for the name I know, your own name, is now a secret, and all the sweeter so. All the world admires Clarissa Lambert, but I alone love Claire Luttrell, and know that Claire Luttrell loves me."

   1887, Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch, Dead Man's Rock., BiblioBazaar,LLC, published 2007, →ISBN, page 198

2. A male given name transferred from the surname, of rare usage, variant of Clare.

   When we arrived in Hangchow, all the pilots were honored at a big banquet given by that famous American general with a lady's name, Claire Chennault.

   1991, Amy Tan, The Kitchen God's Wife, Ivy Books, →ISBN, page 203