soft-shell crab

soft-shell crab
noun
1. freshly molted crab with new shell still tender and flexible
Syn: ↑soft-shelled crab
Hypernyms: ↑crab, ↑crabmeat
2. edible crab that has recently molted and not yet formed its new shell
Syn: ↑soft-shelled crab
Hypernyms: ↑crab

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noun or soft-shelled crab
: a crab that has recently shed its shell and has a very soft new one — distinguished from hard-shell crab; see blue crab

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a crab, esp. the blue crab, that has recently molted and therefore has a soft, edible shell.
[1835-45]

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soft-shell crab or soft-shelled crab,
the common blue crab when it has shed its hard shell and not yet grown another.

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(also softshell crab) n. a crab, esp. a blue crab, that has recently molted and has a new shell that is still soft and edible. Also called soft crab

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Soft-shell crab — in New Orleans, Louisiana Soft shell crab is a culinary term for crabs which have recently molted their old exoskeleton and are still soft.[1] In the United States, the main species is the blue crab , Callin …   Wikipedia

  • soft-shell crab — soft′ shell crab′ n. ivt a crab, esp. the blue crab, that has recently molted and therefore has a soft, edible shell • Etymology: 1835–45 …   From formal English to slang

  • soft-shell crab — a crab, esp. the blue crab, that has recently molted and therefore has a soft, edible shell. [1835 45] * * * …   Universalium

  • soft-shelled crab — noun 1. freshly molted crab with new shell still tender and flexible • Syn: ↑soft shell crab • Hypernyms: ↑crab, ↑crabmeat 2. edible crab that has recently molted and not yet formed its new shell • Syn: ↑soft shell crab …   Useful english dictionary

  • soft-shell — soft′ shell adj. 1) zool. Also, soft′ shelled′. having a soft, flexible, or fragile shell, as a crab that has recently molted 2) zool. a soft shell animal, esp. a soft shell crab • Etymology: 1795–1805 …   From formal English to slang

  • Soft-shelled crab — Soft shell Soft shell , Soft shelled Soft shelled , a. Having a soft or fragile shell. [1913 Webster] {Soft shell clam} (Zo[ o]l.), the long clam. See {Mya}. {Soft shelled crab}. (Zo[ o]l.) See the Note under {Crab}, 1. {Soft shelled turtle}.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • soft-shell — /sawft shel , soft /, adj. 1. Also, soft shelled. having a soft, flexible, or fragile shell, as a crab that has recently molted. n. 2. a soft shell animal, esp. a soft shell crab. [1795 1805] * * * …   Universalium

  • Soft-shell — Soft shelled Soft shelled , a. Having a soft or fragile shell. [1913 Webster] {Soft shell clam} (Zo[ o]l.), the long clam. See {Mya}. {Soft shelled crab}. (Zo[ o]l.) See the Note under {Crab}, 1. {Soft shelled turtle}. (Zo[ o]l.) Same as {Soft t …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Soft-shell clam — Soft shell Soft shell , Soft shelled Soft shelled , a. Having a soft or fragile shell. [1913 Webster] {Soft shell clam} (Zo[ o]l.), the long clam. See {Mya}. {Soft shelled crab}. (Zo[ o]l.) See the Note under {Crab}, 1. {Soft shelled turtle}.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Soft-shell clam — Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum …   Wikipedia

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