clamshell

noun

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.”

3. 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.

   “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).”

4. 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.
5. 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.
6. (US, dated, derogatory, slang)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.

   “Shut your clamshell!”

   “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."”

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

7. (attributive, often)Any object with some other resemblance to either one or both halves of the shell of a clam.
8. (attributive, often)Any object with some other resemblance to either one or both halves of the shell of a clam.

verb

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

   “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.”

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

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

   “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.”

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

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

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

   “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).”

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.”

4. (ambitransitive)To open or close by means of a hinge, similar to the way a clamshell opens and closes.

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

   “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.”

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

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

   “He clamshelled his phone.”