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Webster 1913 Edition

Mussel

Mus′sel

,
Noun.
[See
Muscle
, 3.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any one of many species of marine bivalve shells of the genus
Mytilus
, and related genera, of the family
Mytidae
. The common mussel (
Mytilus edulis
; see Illust. under
Byssus
), and the larger, or horse, mussel (
Modiola modiolus
), inhabiting the shores both of Europe and America, are edible. The former is extensively used as food in Europe.
2.
(Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of
Unio
, and related fresh-water genera; – called also
river mussel
. See
Naiad
, and
Unio
.
Mussel digger
(Zool.)
,
the grayback whale. See
Gray whale
, under
Gray
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Mussel

MUSSEL.

[See Muscle.]

Definition 2024

mussel

mussel

English

Cooked mussels (Mytilus edulis)
Mussels in beer broth at a restaurant in Singapore

Noun

mussel ‎(plural mussels)

  1. Any of several groups of bivalve shellfish with elongated, asymmetrical shells
    1. fresh water mussels, usually edible, of the order Unionoida in subclass Palaeoheterodonta.
    2. salt water mussels, usually edible, of the order Mytiloida in subclass Pteriomorpha.
    3. Certain other bivalves of somewhat similar appearance, such as the zebra mussel and quagga mussel of the family Dreissenidae in subclass Heterodonta.

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Translations

Etymology

From Latin mūsculus ‎(“mussel or muscle”), literally "little mouse".

Pronunciation

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