Word
carapace
Phoneticscara·pace
UK/kˈæɹɐpˌeɪs/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a hard shell that covers the back of animals like turtles and crabs. It protects the soft body inside.
n. a hard protective shell covering the back or part of the body of tortoises, crustaceans, and certain other animals.
Examples
“The crab hides under its hard carapace.”
“The tortoise pulls its head back under its carapace when it feels danger nearby.”
“After the moult, the lobster's new carapace remains soft for hours, leaving it vulnerable until the shell hardens again.”
Examples
simple
“The crab hides under its hard carapace.”
contextual
“The tortoise pulls its head back under its carapace when it feels danger nearby.”
complex
“After the moult, the lobster's new carapace remains soft for hours, leaving it vulnerable until the shell hardens again.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “carapace” in context.
Verb
01. carapace hardens
“After moulting, the crab's new carapace hardens within a few days.”
noun + verb
02. carapace protects
“The lobster's carapace protects its vulnerable internal organs.”
noun + verb
03. crack carapace
“The fall from the rock managed to crack the tortoise's carapace.”
verb + noun
04. examine carapace
“The vet carefully examined the carapace for signs of fungal infection.”
verb + noun
05. pierce carapace
“Even sharp teeth cannot easily pierce the turtle's carapace.”
verb + noun
06. retreat into carapace
“At the slightest threat, the terrapin retreats into its carapace.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
07. bony carapace
“Fossil evidence shows the ancient turtle had a thick, bony carapace.”
adj + noun
08. chitinous carapace
“Under the microscope, the beetle's chitinous carapace showed fine ridges.”
adj + noun
09. domed carapace
“The tortoise withdrew its head beneath its high, domed carapace.”
adj + noun
10. crack in the carapace
“The vet discovered a small crack in the carapace during the check-up.”
11. hide beneath its carapace
“The tortoise hid beneath its carapace until the predator moved away.”
12. retreat into protective carapace
“When threatened, the tortoise retreats into its protective carapace.”
Real-World Examples
“While the fossil is incomplete, it features a relatively well-preserved carapace, or shell, although the rest of the skeleton is lacking.” Etymology
Borrowed from French carapace (“tortoise shell”), from Spanish carapacho, of unknown origin, but likely from an extinct Ibero-Mediterranean substrate language. Compare Catalan carabassa, Ancient Greek κάραβος (kárabos, “beetle”), Latin scarabaeus (the source of scarab); also Spanish galápago (“kind of turtle”). Doublet of calipash.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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