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oyster

Syllabification: (oys·ter)
Pronunciation: /ˈoistər/
Translate oyster | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of oyster

noun

  • 1any of a number of bivalve mollusks with rough irregular shells. Several kinds are eaten (especially raw) as a delicacy and may be farmed for food or pearls.
    • a true oyster (family Ostreidae), in particular the edible American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). a similar bivalve of another family, in particular the thorny oysters (Spondylidae), wing oysters (Pteriidae), and saddle oysters (Anomiidae).
  • 2 (also oyster white) a shade of grayish white.
  • 3an oyster-shaped morsel of meat on each side of the backbone in poultry.

verb

[no object] (usually as noun oystering)
  • raise, dredge, or gather oysters:oystering is still the lifeblood of this town

Phrases

the world is your oyster

you are in a position to take the opportunities that life has to offer.
[from Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor ( ii. ii. 5)]

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French oistre, via Latin from Greek ostreon; related to osteon 'bone' and ostrakon 'shell or tile'

oyster in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of oyster in the British & World English dictionary

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