clamshell

plural clamshells

1. The shell of a clam.
2. Any object that, in (literal or figurative) resemblance to the shell of a clam, has a hinge on one edge and two surfaces that close together.

   You'll find a mix among clamshell laptops for strong laps, lunchboxes, and sewing-machine configurations; the latter two designs typically have detachable keyboards.

   1988 October 11, PC Mag, volume 7, number 17, page 93

   1. A dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam.

      1 more example

      The wall has been constructed one panel at a time by a machine which uses a clamshell bucket to excavate straight down to a depth of 30 metres. […] Specialised long-reach excavators with a clamshell grab then reach though the openings to lift the spoil to the surface, which is then deposited in articulated dump trucks (ADTs).

      2023 March 8, Chris Howe, “Building the platform for Old Oak Common's platforms”, in RAIL, number 978, page 60

   2. In food service, the closing box (usually styrofoam but sometimes cardboard) given to consumers with takeout food.
   3. A hinged case for a video tape, cassette tape, or video game cartridge.
   4. USdatedderogatoryslangA person's mouth.

      Shut your clamshell!

      2 more examples

      He was quickly silenced, however, by a burly individual, who "reckoned that it mout be jist as well for the stranger to keep his clam-shell shut."

      1858, Harper's Weekly

      "Shut your clamshell, Toby," grumbled the Baron.

      1870, Henry Perry Leland, The Grey-bay Mare, and Other Humorous American Sketches

3. attributiveoftenAny object with some other resemblance to either one or both halves of the shell of a clam.
   1. attributiveoftenentertainmentAn amphitheater, especially an outdoor amphitheater; the semi-circular acoustic backdrop behind and above the performers.

      Synonyms: bandshell

present singular third person clamshells · participle present clamshelling · participle past clamshelled · past clamshelled

1. businessTo deform a die in a shape resembling the shell of a clam, as a result of uneven extrusion pressure.

   However, this solution is more susceptible to clamshelling, as the land length is particularly large at the centre.

   2012, M. J. Stevens, J. A. Covas, Extruder Principles and Operation, page 108

   1 more example

   Although it produces a nonuniform pressure drop across the die and thus causes nonuniform flow through the die lip, the distribution of the melt does not produce die distortion of ^([sic]) clamshelling.

   2000, Charles A. Harper, Modern Plastics Handbook, pages 5–64

2. To dig out by means of a clamshell (dredging bucket).

   The sludge will be clamshelled and landfilled, or recycled to melting operations.

   1976, Russell E. Train, Andrew W. Briedenbach, Ernst P. Hall, Edward L. Dulaney, Patricia e. WIlliams, John G. WIlliams, Development Document for Interim Final Effluent Limitations Guidlines And Proposed New Source Performance Standards for the Forming, Finishing and Specialty Steel Segments of the Iron and Steel Manufacturing Point Source Category, page 577

   4 more examples

   The additional handling that it would get by the canal would be: One dumping from the pockets into the canal barge, one clamshelling out of the canal barge, and one dumping onto the dock.

   1916, United States Congressional Serial Set, volume 6978, page 66

   First the contractor clamshelled the silty material into two parallel dikes which are 200 feet apart.

   1964, The American City - Volume 79, page 84

   Sludges produced at C must be periodically clamshelled out & transferred to controlled landfill.

   1979, United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Effluent Guidelines Division, Draft Development Document for the Iron and Steel Manufacturing Point Source Category, page 102

   Denser, more consolidated materials discharged at the disposal site, excavated by mechanical means (ie., clamshelled) descends more rapidly to the bottom and deposits at a density near to the in situ density at the dredging site (SAIC, 1987a/b).

   1993, Hsieh Wen Shen, S. T. Su, Feng Wen, Hydraulic Engineering '93, page 1196

3. To compress or flatten underwater debris so as to avoid blocking a channel.

   In the past, when a boat sank and was judged unfit for salvage, the Coast Guard 'clamshelled' it. That is, they broke it up in order to flatten it as much as possible so it wouldn't obstruct river traffic.

   1972 March, Willard Beiley, “Underwater Brigade”, in Cincinnati Magazine, volume 5, number 6, page 49

4. ambitransitiveTo open or close by means of a hinge, similar to the way a clamshell opens and closes.

   He clamshelled his phone.

   2015, Wayne A. Pearson, White Shoulders

   5 more examples

   To avoid getting clamshelled, first check the seat pins, then climb in before you pin the canopy.

   1994 May-June, John Bastin, “ClamShelled”, in Mech, volume 3, number 94, page 14

   Sixty-three of the transports grounded in a ring some 400 kilometers outside Cavite City, and their sides clamshelled and Tahn assault troops stormed out.

   2012, Chris Bunch, Allan Cole, Juggernaut

   Richard replied bluntly as the safety harness automatically clamshelled comfortably around his hips and shoulders.

   2013, Martyn Jones, Falling Through the Stars

   He popped the release on the VISOR's helmet and it clamshelled open.

   2015, Kevin Lee Swaim, The Chimera Strain

   This time, as soon as the hatches serving the water-level stern hold had clamshelled wide enough open, the twelve-place aircar assigned to heavy cruisers as a utility vehicle—the Princess Cecile had a jeep that could carry four if they were good friends —roared out.

   2017, David Drake, Lt. Leary, Commanding