‖ praire
(prɛr)
[Fr.]
The European clam, Venus verrucosa, or the North American hard-shell clam, Mercenaria (formerly Venus) mercenaria, which has been introduced to parts of Europe.
| [1878 P. L. Simmonds Commercial Products of Sea i. xii. 147 The ‘paires doubles’ [sic] (Venus verrucosa) or clams of the Mediterranean..are never as delicate in flavour as when freshly caught.] 1929 A. E. Housman Let. 27 Feb. (1971) 278 In the interesting menu of a Paris restaurant..there are praires. These may be among the shell-fish which I have eaten at Marseilles, but I do not remember them. 1960 [see palourde]. 1971 M. McCarthy Birds of America 128 Sometimes I just have a dozen praires (which are cheaper than oysters)..for lunch. 1975 Times 31 May 7/3 A board..bearing praires, clovisses, Belan oysters, langoustines. |