oyster

oys-ter · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A bivalve mollusk with rough irregular shells, several kinds of which are farmed for food or pearls.

  2. 2.

    Something from which profit or advantage can be extracted.

Forms

plural: oysters

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    the world is your oyster — you have many opportunities available to you
  • •
    oyster bar — a restaurant or counter serving oysters
  • •
    clam up like an oyster — to become silent and withdrawn

Related words

See also: clam, mussel, pearl, shellfish
Synonyms: bivalve, shellfish

Etymology

From Old French oistre (modern French huître), from Latin ostrea, from Greek ostreon, related to osteon ("bone").