steamer

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
  2. noun a cooking utensil that can be used to cook food by steaming it
  3. noun a ship powered by one or more steam engines

Etymology

From steam + -er. The steamer duck or steamer (sense 6.2) is apparently named for its resemblance to a paddle steamer when swimming rapidly.

In classic literature

Synonyms

soft-shell clam, steamer clam, long-neck clam

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