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

It came from a soft-shelled turtle, or trionychid, which researchers think was the animal responsible for the punting tracks.

From Seattle Times

Dangling from the end was a live soft-shelled turtle as big as a dinner platter.

From Los Angeles Times

Some evenings, Ms. Sun’s father, a line cook in Manhattan, would whip up elaborate meals of soft-shelled turtle and taro for the young women that reminded them of home.

From New York Times

A new subspecies of soft-shelled turtle from the central United States, with comments on the application of the name Amyda.

From Project Gutenberg