clamshelling

Verb

clamshell (third-person singular simple present clamshells, present participle clamshelling, simple past and past participle clamshelled)

1. To deform a die in a shape resembling the shell of a clam, as a result of uneven extrusion pressure.
   • Although it produces a nonuniform pressure drop across the die and thus causes nonuniform flow through the die lip, the distribution of the melt does not produce die distortion of ^([sic]) clamshelling.2000, Charles A. Harper, Modern Plastics Handbook, pages 5–64
2. To dig out by means of a clamshell (dredging bucket).
   • The additional handling that it would get by the canal would be: One dumping from the pockets into the canal barge, one clamshelling out of the canal barge, and one dumping onto the dock.1916, United States Congressional Serial Set, volume 6978, page 66
3. To compress or flatten underwater debris so as to avoid blocking a channel.
   • In the past, when a boat sank and was judged unfit for salvage, the Coast Guard 'clamshelled' it. That is, they broke it up in order to flatten it as much as possible so it wouldn't obstruct river traffic.1972 March, Willard Beiley, “Underwater Brigade”, in Cincinnati Magazine, volume 5, number 6, page 49
4. (ambitransitive) To open or close by means of a hinge, similar to the way a clamshell opens and closes.
   • To avoid getting clamshelled, first check the seat pins, then climb in before you pin the canopy.1994 May-June, John Bastin, “ClamShelled”, in Mech, volume 3, number 94, page 14

See all 12 meanings of clamshell