ˈmussel-shell
The shell of a mussel.
| c 725 Corpus Gloss. 863 Conca, musclan scel. 1387–8 T. Usk Test. Love iii. i. (Skeat) l. 45 On the see sides in the more Britain in muskle shelles of the heuenly dewe the best ben engendred. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. i. iv. (1886) 8 They can saile in an egge shell, a cockle or muscle shell. 1681 Grew Musæum i. vi. ii. 148 The Natives of Brasile use Muscle-shells for Spoons and Knives. 1707 Curios. in Husb. & Gard. 312 As thin as a Muscle-Shell. 1829 Glover's Hist. Derby I. 95 A stratum of muscle shells. 1873 Browning Red Cott. Nt.-cap 34 Granite and muscle-shell are ground alike To glittering paste. |
b. nonce-use. One who gapes like a mussel-shell.
| 1598 Shakes. Merry W. iv. v. 29 Simp. Pray you Sir, was't not the Wise-woman of Brainford? Fal. I marry was it (Mussel-shell) what would you with her? |