mussel

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mus·sel / ˈməsəl/ • n. any of a number of bivalve mollusks with a brown or purplish-black shell, in particular: ∎  a marine bivalve (family Mytilidae) that uses byssus threads to anchor to a firm surface, including the edible mussel (Mytilus edulis). ∎  a freshwater bivalve (family Unionidae) that typically lies on the bed of a river, some species forming small pearls.

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