soft-shell tortoise

soft-shell tortoise
Trionyx Tri*on"yx, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? (see {Tri-}) + ? a claw.] (Zo["o]l.) A genus of fresh-water or river turtles which have the shell imperfectly developed and covered with a soft leathery skin. They are noted for their agility and rapacity. Called also {soft tortoise}, {soft-shell tortoise}, and {mud turtle}. [1913 Webster]

Note: The common American species ({Trionyx ferox} syn. {Aspidonectus ferox}) becomes over a foot in length and is very voracious. Similar species are found in Asia and Africa. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Soft-shell tortoise — Tortoise Tor toise, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked, fr. L. tortus twisted, crooked, contorted, p. p. of torquere, tortum, to wind; cf. F. tortue tortoise, LL. tortuca, tartuca, Pr. tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. so called in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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

  • Tortoise shell — Tortoise Tor toise, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked, fr. L. tortus twisted, crooked, contorted, p. p. of torquere, tortum, to wind; cf. F. tortue tortoise, LL. tortuca, tartuca, Pr. tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. so called in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tortoise-shell butterfly — Tortoise Tor toise, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked, fr. L. tortus twisted, crooked, contorted, p. p. of torquere, tortum, to wind; cf. F. tortue tortoise, LL. tortuca, tartuca, Pr. tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. so called in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tortoise-shell turtle — Tortoise Tor toise, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked, fr. L. tortus twisted, crooked, contorted, p. p. of torquere, tortum, to wind; cf. F. tortue tortoise, LL. tortuca, tartuca, Pr. tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. so called in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tortoise — Tor toise, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked, fr. L. tortus twisted, crooked, contorted, p. p. of torquere, tortum, to wind; cf. F. tortue tortoise, LL. tortuca, tartuca, Pr. tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. so called in allusion to its …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tortoise beetle — Tortoise Tor toise, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked, fr. L. tortus twisted, crooked, contorted, p. p. of torquere, tortum, to wind; cf. F. tortue tortoise, LL. tortuca, tartuca, Pr. tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. so called in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tortoise plant — Tortoise Tor toise, n. [OE. tortuce, fr. OF. tortis crooked, fr. L. tortus twisted, crooked, contorted, p. p. of torquere, tortum, to wind; cf. F. tortue tortoise, LL. tortuca, tartuca, Pr. tortesa crookedness, tortis crooked. so called in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • soft tortoise — Trionyx Tri*on yx, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? (see {Tri }) + ? a claw.] (Zo[ o]l.) A genus of fresh water or river turtles which have the shell imperfectly developed and covered with a soft leathery skin. They are noted for their agility and rapacity.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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