Definition of "littleneck" [littleneck]

• The quahog clam when small and suitable for eating raw. Also called littleneck clam. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "I thought the world was my oyster, or at least my littleneck clam, but I found soon enough that the shimmering surface of unpaid drama festivals was just a thin veneer that covered a worm-ridden table beneath it, not to wear out my metaphoric welcome or anything."
• "White suggests foie gras torchons with spiced figs and sweet/spicy ormeasco mostarda; the Ligurian pasta called Trofie with shellfish ragout; pan-roasted cod with littleneck clams and watercress pesto; and a warm liquid-center chocolate coulant with stracciatelli gelato."
• "So I recently conjured up -- with considerable effort and not a little expense -- some fresh littleneck clams that I chopped with various other things, topped with bacon, and broiled on the half-shell."