geoduck

American  

[goo-ee-duhk] / ˈgu iˌdʌk /

Or gweduc

noun

1. a very large, edible, saltwater clam of the genus Panope that burrows into the mud, feeding through a long siphon, the so-called neck, that extends upward: specimens of P. generosa Pacific geoduck, of the waters off western Canada and northwestern United States, have been found to live more than 140 years, and some have exceeded a shell length of 10 inches (25 centimeters), a siphon length of 5 feet (1.5 meters), and a weight of 15 pounds (7 kilograms).

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geoduck British  

/ ˈdʒiːəʊˌdʌk /

noun

1. a large edible clam

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Etymology

Origin of geoduck

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; from Lushootseed (formerly Puget Salish ) gwídəq, of uncertain meaning: either an element gwíd-, of uncertain origin + -əq “genitals” (from the resemblance of the siphon to a penis), or from a phrase meaning “dig deep” (because the mollusk buries itself up to three feet deep in sand, silt, or gravel)

Example Sentences

According to Jack, geoducks are some of the hardest shellfish to hunt.

From Literature

Sullivan was a commercial geoduck harvester for nearly two decades.

From Seattle Times

The tribe’s seafood company started with geoduck and is now in the oyster business, too.

From Seattle Times

With three, 10-person seatings a night, the 17-course opening menu features local seafood such as geoduck and red ocean perch and catches coming from Japan.

From Seattle Times

He fiddles with dials and devices as a group of tribal members ferries crates of geoducks from a boat.

From Seattle Times