SOFT-SHELL CRAB

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does soft-shell crab mean? 

• SOFT-SHELL CRAB (noun)
  The noun SOFT-SHELL CRAB has 2 senses:

1. freshly molted crab with new shell still tender and flexible

2. edible crab that has recently molted and not yet formed its new shell

  Familiarity information: SOFT-SHELL CRAB used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SOFT-SHELL CRAB (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Freshly molted crab with new shell still tender and flexible

Classified under:

Nouns denoting foods and drinks

Synonyms:

soft-shell crab; soft-shelled crab

Hypernyms ("soft-shell crab" is a kind of...):

crab; crabmeat (the edible flesh of any of various crabs)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Edible crab that has recently molted and not yet formed its new shell

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

soft-shell crab; soft-shelled crab

Hypernyms ("soft-shell crab" is a kind of...):

crab (decapod having eyes on short stalks and a broad flattened carapace with a small abdomen folded under the thorax and pincers)