hard-shell crab

noun

: a crab that has not recently shed its shell

called also hard-shelled crab

Examples of hard-shell crab in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The crabs have a rich, delicate flavor and can be fried and eaten whole in their soft-shell form, eliminating the tedious task of picking meat out of limbs, as with hard-shell crabs. Laura Poppick, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2019 Like hard-shell crabs, neck bones require a little effort to enjoy, given that some of the prime eating is in their nooks and crannies. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 12 June 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-shell crab was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near hard-shell crab

Cite this Entry

“Hard-shell crab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-shell%20crab. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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