soft-shelled turtle

noun

1. any of numerous aquatic turtles of the family Trionychidae, inhabiting North America, Asia, and Africa, having the shell covered with flexible, leathery skin instead of horny plates.

soft-shelled turtle

noun

1. any freshwater turtle of the family Trionychidae, having a flattened soft shell consisting of bony plates covered by a leathery skin

Word History and Origins

Origin of soft-shelled turtle¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Bartram's description of a soft-shelled turtle has provided the basis for the proposal of at least three name-combinations.

From Project Gutenberg

Kellogg (1929:26) wrote that stomachs of two alligators each contained one soft-shelled turtle.

From Project Gutenberg

In the rivers and swamps there are soft-shelled turtle (Trionyx and Sternothaerus).

From Project Gutenberg