What is "razor clam"

Razor \Ra"zor\ (r[=a]"z[~e]r), n. [OE. rasour, OF. rasur, LL. rasor: cf. F. rasoir, LL. rasorium. See Raze, v. t., Rase, v. t.]

1. A keen-edged knife of peculiar shape, used in shaving the hair from the face or the head; also called a straight razor. ``Take thee a barber's razor.''
   --Ezek. v. 1.

2. a device used for shaving, having a replaceable blade with a very sharp edge; also called safety razor. Also a similar device, made of plastic, in which the blade is neither replaceable nor can be sharpened, intended to be discarded after the blade dulls -- called a disposable razor.

3. (Zo["o]l.) A tusk of a wild boar. Razor fish. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. A small Mediterranean fish ( Coryph[ae]na novacula), prized for the table.

   2. The razor shell.

      Razor grass (Bot.), a West Indian plant ( Scleria scindens), the triangular stem and the leaves of which are edged with minute sharp teeth.

      Razor grinder (Zo["o]l.), the European goat-sucker.

      Razor shell (Zo["o]l.), any marine bivalve shell belonging to Solen and allied genera, especially Solen ensis (or Ensatella ensis), and Solen Americana, which have a long, narrow, somewhat curved shell, resembling a razor handle in shape. Called also razor clam, razor fish, knife handle.

      Razor stone. Same as Novaculite.

      Razor strap, or razor strop, a strap or strop used in sharpening razors.

n. 1 A clam of several species in superfamily ''(taxlink Solenoidea superfamily noshow=1)'', with long curved shells resembling straight razors. 2 # The (vern Atlantic jackknife clam pedia=1), (taxlink Ensis directus species noshow=1). 3 # The razor shell, ''Ensis arcuatus'', now ''Ensis magnus''. 4 # The (vern Atlantic razor clam pedia=1), (taxlink Siliqua costata species noshow=1). 5 # The (vern Pacific razor clam pedia=1), (taxlink Siliqua patula species noshow=1). 6 # The Gould's razor shell, ''Solen strictus''

n. marine clam having a long narrow curved thin shell [syn: jackknife clam, knife-handle]

Razor clam is a common name for long, narrow, saltwater clams (which resemble a closed straight razor in shape), in the genera Ensis, Siliqua, and Solen, including:

• Atlantic jackknife clam, Ensis directus
• Razor shell, Ensis arcuatus

• Pacific razor clam, Siliqua patula
• Gould's razor shell, Solen strictus