oyster

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oys·ter / ˈoistər/ • n. 1. any of a number of bivalve mollusks with rough irregular shells. Several kinds are eaten (esp. raw) as a delicacy and may be farmed for food or pearls, in particular: ∎  a true oyster (family Ostreidae), including the edible American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). ∎  a similar bivalve of another family, esp. the thorny oysters (Spondylidae), wing oysters (Pteriidae), and saddle oysters (Anomiidae). 2. an oyster-shaped morsel of meat on each side of the backbone in poultry.3. (also oyster white) a shade of grayish white.• v. [intr.] raise, dredge, or gather oysters.• adj. of the color oyster white.PHRASES: the world is your oyster you are in a position to take the opportunities that life has to offer.ORIGIN: Middle English: from Old French oistre, via Latin from Greek ostreon; related to osteon ‘bone’ and ostrakon ‘shell or tile.’

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