pholas
Definition of pholas
1 capitalized : a large genus of bivalve usually marine mollusks (family Pholadidae) with an elongate-oval rough shell having no hinge ligament, gaping at the end, and having two accessory valves to protect the dorsal margin that with the foot serves as a rasp to bore in wood and stone
2 plural pholades \-ləˌdēz\ : any mollusk of the genus Pholas or of the family Pholadidae : piddock
From the M-W Editors
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Origin and Etymology of pholas
New Latin, from Greek phōlas stone-boring mollusk, literally, lying in a hole; akin to Greek phylē tribe, clan
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up pholas? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!