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half shell

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noun

either of the halves of a double-shelled creature, as of an oyster, clam, or other bivalve mollusk.

Origin of half shell

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for half shell

Historical Examples of half shell

  • Oysters on the half-shell and bouillon served in cups are the first two courses.

    Social Life

    Maud C. Cooke

  • So Bannertail had grub on the half-shell and nuts on the side for his first course.

    Bannertail

    Ernest Thompson Seton

  • The subject for anatomical study is then prepared "upon the half-shell."

    The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide

    Augusta Foote Arnold

  • So with their relish of humor; they must hav it on the half-shell with cayenne.

    Josh Billings on Ice

    Henry Wheeler Shaw

  • On this principle, an oyster on the half-shell might be called an Entomostracan.