Tridacna
[ trih-dak-nuh ]
/ trɪˈdæk nə /
noun
a genus of giant clams inhabiting reefs in the South Pacific, attaining a diameter of 4 feet (1.2 meters) or more, and weighing over 500 pounds (227 kg).
Origin of Tridacna
1770–80; < New Latin, noun use of feminine of Latin
tridacnus requiring three bites < Greek
trídaknos, equivalent to
tri-
tri- +
dákn(ein) to bite +
-os adj. suffix