‖ pholas Zool.
(ˈfəʊləs)
Pl. pholades (ˈfəʊlədiːz).
[mod.L., a. Gr. ϕωλάς, ϕωλαδ- adj. lurking in a hole (ϕωλεός), hence, a mollusc inhabiting holes in stone.]
A genus of boring bivalve molluscs; an animal of this genus, a piddock.
| 1661 Lovell Hist. Anim. & Min. 241 Pholas..They are pleasant to the pallate, but of evil juyce... They live in hollow places, and so amongst stones, that they can hardly be perceived. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) VII. 68 Thus immured, the pholas lives in darkness, indolence, and plenty. 1802 Playfair Illustr. Hutton. Th. 452 The marble columns of the temple of Serapis..are..perforated by pholades, to the height of sixteen feet above ground. 1868 Wood Homes without H. v. 101 One of the British species, the Paper Pholas..has a peculiarly thin and delicate shell. |