n.
- a bivalve marine mollusc with a rough, flattened, irregularly oval shell, several kinds of which are farmed for food or pearls.
[Ostrea edulis (Europe), Crassostrea virginica (America), and other species.]
- a shade of greyish white.
- an oval morsel of meat on each side of the backbone in poultry.
Phrase
- the world is one's oyster
one is in a position to enjoy a broad range of opportunities.
[from Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor (ii. ii. 5).]
Etymology
ME: from OFr. oistre, via L. from Gk ostreon; rel. to osteon ‘bone’ and ostrakon ‘shell or tile’.