mussel

/ˈmʌsəl/

/ˈmʌsəl/

Other forms: mussels

Definitions of mussel

1. noun

   marine or freshwater bivalve mollusk that lives attached to rocks etc.
   types:

   marine mussel, mytilid

   marine bivalve mollusk having a dark elongated shell; live attached to solid objects especially in intertidal zones

   freshwater clam, freshwater mussel

   bivalve mollusk abundant in rivers of central United States

   Mytilus edulis, edible mussel

   a mussel with a dark shell that lives attached to rocks

   pearly-shelled mussel

   the pearly lining of the dark shells is a source of mother-of-pearl

   thin-shelled mussel

   mussel with thin fragile shells having only rudimentary hinge teeth

   Dreissena polymorpha, zebra mussel

   inch long mollusk imported accidentally from Europe; clogs utility inlet pipes and feeds on edible freshwater mussels

   type of:

   bivalve, lamellibranch, pelecypod

   marine or freshwater mollusk having a soft body with platelike gills enclosed within two shells hinged together
2. noun

   black marine bivalves usually steamed in wine
   type of:

   shellfish

   meat of edible aquatic invertebrate with a shell (especially a mollusk or crustacean)