: any of a family (Trionychidae) of freshwater carnivorous turtles that have sharp claws and mandibles and a flat round shell covered with soft leathery skin instead of with horny plates
: having a soft or fragile shell especially as a result of recent shedding
soft-shell crabs
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Noun
Testers appreciated the ability to secure the inner shoe without having to dig inside the shell, thanks to an external BOA dial that tightens and loosens with precise clicks, and found the water-resistant softshell gaiter cut cold, biting winds and shed moisture.—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024 The water- and wind-resistant, breathable softshell exterior feels similar to other lightweight glove fabrics but did a better job warding off wet snow and freezing temps.—Mark Eller, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The father is also now pushing for players to receive Guardian Caps, soft-shell covers used on helmets that can help prevent head injuries.—Mark Puleo, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024 Get The Recipe 57 of 60 Cornmeal-Crusted Soft-Shell Crab Sandwiches
Ready in 30 minutes
Take advantage of soft-shell crab season with these decadent sandwiches.—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for softshell
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