Definition of mussel
1
: a marine bivalve mollusk (especially genus Mytilus) usually having a dark elongated shell
2
: a freshwater bivalve mollusk (as of Unio, Anodonta, or related genera) that is especially abundant in rivers of the central U.S. and has a shell lined with mother-of-pearl
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for mussel
The first known use of mussel was before the 12th century
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