clamshell
verbEtymology From clam + shell.
1
Business, Manufacturing To deform a die in a shape resembling the shell of a clam, as a result of uneven extrusion pressure.
- Although it produces a nonuniform pressure drop across the die and thus causes nonuniform flow through the die lip, the distribution of the melt does not produce die distortion of ^([sic]) clamshelling.2000, Charles A. Harper, Modern Plastics Handbook, pages 5–64:
- However, this solution is more susceptible to clamshelling, as the land length is particularly large at the centre.2012, M. J. Stevens, J. A. Covas, Extruder Principles and Operation, page 108:
2
To dig out by means of a clamshell (dredging bucket).
- The additional handling that it would get by the canal would be: One dumping from the pockets into the canal barge, one clamshelling out of the canal barge, and one dumping onto the dock.1916, United States Congressional Serial Set, volume 6978, page 66:
- First the contractor clamshelled the silty material into two parallel dikes which are 200 feet apart.1964, The American City - Volume 79, page 84:
3 more examples
- The sludge will be clamshelled and landfilled, or recycled to melting operations.1976, Russell E. Train, Andrew W. Briedenbach, Ernst P. Hall, Edward L. Dulaney, Patricia e. WIlliams, John G. WIlliams, Development Document for Interim Final Effluent Limitations Guidlines And Proposed New Source Performance Standards for the Forming, Finishing and Specialty Steel Segments of the Iron and Steel Manufacturing Point Source Category, page 577:
- Sludges produced at C must be periodically clamshelled out & transferred to controlled landfill.1979, United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Effluent Guidelines Division, Draft Development Document for the Iron and Steel Manufacturing Point Source Category, page 102:
- Denser, more consolidated materials discharged at the disposal site, excavated by mechanical means (ie., clamshelled) descends more rapidly to the bottom and deposits at a density near to the in situ density at the dredging site (SAIC, 1987a/b).1993, Hsieh Wen Shen, S. T. Su, Feng Wen, Hydraulic Engineering '93, page 1196:
3
To compress or flatten underwater debris so as to avoid blocking a channel.
- In the past, when a boat sank and was judged unfit for salvage, the Coast Guard 'clamshelled' it. That is, they broke it up in order to flatten it as much as possible so it wouldn't obstruct river traffic.1972 March, Willard Beiley, “Underwater Brigade”, in Cincinnati Magazine, volume 5, number 6, page 49:
4
Ambitransitive To open or close by means of a hinge, similar to the way a clamshell opens and closes.
- To avoid getting clamshelled, first check the seat pins, then climb in before you pin the canopy.1994 May-June, John Bastin, “ClamShelled”, in Mech, volume 3, number 94, page 14:
- Sixty-three of the transports grounded in a ring some 400 kilometers outside Cavite City, and their sides clamshelled and Tahn assault troops stormed out.2012, Chris Bunch, Allan Cole, Juggernaut:
4 more examples
- Richard replied bluntly as the safety harness automatically clamshelled comfortably around his hips and shoulders.2013, Martyn Jones, Falling Through the Stars:
- He popped the release on the VISOR's helmet and it clamshelled open.2015, Kevin Lee Swaim, The Chimera Strain:
- He clamshelled his phone.2015, Wayne A. Pearson, White Shoulders:
- This time, as soon as the hatches serving the water-level stern hold had clamshelled wide enough open, the twelve-place aircar assigned to heavy cruisers as a utility vehicle—the Princess Cecile had a jeep that could carry four if they were good friends —roared out.2017, David Drake, Lt. Leary, Commanding: