mussel

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: mus=sel

CIDE DICTIONARY

mussel, n. [See Muscle, 3.].

•  Any one of many species of marine bivalve shells of the genus Mytilus, and related genera, of the family Mytidæ. The common mussel (Mytilus edulis; see Illust. under Byssus), and the larger, or horse, mussel (Modiola modiolus), inhabiting the shores both of Europe and America, are edible. The former is extensively used as food in Europe.  [1913 Webster]
•  Any one of numerous species of Unio, and related fresh-water genera; -- called also river mussel. See Naiad, and Unio.  [1913 Webster]

Mussel digger (Zoöl.), the grayback whale. See Gray whale, under Gray.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

mussel, n.
1 any bivalve mollusc of the genus Mytilus, living in sea water and often used for food.
2 any similar freshwater mollusc of the genus Margaritifer or Anodonta, forming pearls.

Etymology

ME f. OE mus(c)le & MLG mussel, ult. rel. to L musculus (as MUSCLE)