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Glite Dictionary
edible cockle

edible cockle

3.6
A small shellfish like a clam that people eat
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : berberecho comestible
  • The restaurant's special included fresh edible cockles steamed with garlic.

Examples

  • Fishermen collected edible cockles from the sandy shores at low tide.

  • Overharvesting has led to a decline in local edible cockle populations.

  • The edible cockle is a popular dish in coastal regions.

  • Many restaurants serve edible cockles in various styles.

  • The restaurant's special included fresh edible cockles steamed with garlic.

  • Many restaurants serve edible cockles in various styles.

  • Fishermen collected edible cockles from the sandy shores at low tide.

Synonyms

cockle
vsedible cockle
9 7.7

A small edible shellfish with a rounded, ribbed shell often found on sandy beaches

is a specific European species used as food rather than the general shellfish term
Cardium edule
vsedible cockle
  • Specialized
9.4

A common small sea animal with a rounded edible shell that lives on sandy coasts and mudflats

is the common food name rather than the scientific label

Surface Forms

edible cockle singular
edible cockles plural

Morphology

edible + cockle

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from the adjective 'edible' modifying the noun 'cockle' (a small bivalve), so a learner who knows both words will readily interpret it as a cockle that can be eaten. This simple adjective‑noun pattern is literal and cross‑linguistically common, making the phrase transparent to B1 learners.

Etymology

The noun edible cockle comes from a simple image: a small, ribbed shellfish—cockle—that people gather on sandy shores to eat. The word edible means 'can be eaten', so the phrase points to a common shore shellfish used as 'food'.