tellen
(ˈtɛlən)
Also tellin.
[ad. L. tellīna, a. Gr. τελλῑ́νη a kind of shell-fish. So F. telline, It. tellina.]
A bivalve of the genus Tellina or family Tellinidæ.
| c 1711 Petiver Gazophyl. Dec. vii–viii. Tab. 78 Rib⁓welted Limington Tellen. 1833 Penny Cycl. I. 466/2 They are supposed to have long syphons, like the Tellens. 1854 Woodward Mollusca ii. 310 The Tellens are found in all seas, chiefly in the littoral and laminarian zones. 1901 E. Step Shell Life viii. 118 The members of the Tellin family..are distinctly deep burrowers in sand or mud. 1971 S. P. Dance Seashells 77 The right and left valves of many tellins are unequal in shape and size. |
| Comb. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 319/1 Tellen-like Nymphidæ. |