Tridacna

[ trih-dak-nuh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a genus of giant clams inhabiting reefs in the South Pacific, attaining a diameter of 4 feet (1.2 meters) or more, and weighing over 500 pounds (227 kilograms).

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Word History and Origins

First recorded in 1770–80; from New Latin, noun use of feminine of Latin tridacnus “requiring three bites,” from Greek trídaknos , equivalent to tri- “three” + dákn(ein) “to bite” + -os adjective suffix; tri-

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Example Sentences

A tridacna spread its jaws before his steps so that he nearly plunged into the deadly springtrap of the deep.

From Project Gutenberg

The Linnan genus Chama, included the beautiful shells now called Tridacna.

From Project Gutenberg

The Chama (Tridacna) gigas, when at its full age and development, is the largest shell known.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Albany Hancock found twelve species of Clione on a single Tridacna.

From Project Gutenberg

I did not know the name at the time, but I afterwards learned that it must have been a specimen of the Tridacna gigas.

From Project Gutenberg

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