smooth softshell
- noun
- /smuːð ˈsɔfʃɛl/
- US
:
tortuga de caparazón liso
- Unlike other turtles, the smooth softshell has a flattened, flexible shell.
Examples
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The smooth softshell can be found basking on riverbanks during warm afternoons.
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Scientists are studying the habitat preferences of the smooth softshell in the Mississippi basin.
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The smooth softshell is a unique species of turtle.
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Many smooth softshells can be found in the rivers of Mississippi.
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Scientists are studying the habitat preferences of the smooth softshell in the Mississippi basin.
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The smooth softshell can often be seen swimming in the clear waters of rivers.
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During summer, the smooth softshell enjoys basking on the sandy banks of the Mississippi.
Synonyms
A river turtle with a soft shell that lives in rivers like the Mississippi and likes fast water
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a literal descriptive compound: 'smooth' modifies 'softshell' (itself transparently formed from 'soft' + 'shell'), so the meaning of a turtle with a smooth, soft shell is directly derivable from the parts. This kind of compositional noun phrase is common cross-linguistically and should be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
Smooth softshell describes a river turtle with a flat, leathery shell that is soft rather than hard. The words soft and shell point to its flexible covering and smooth reminds you it has few bumps, so the name helps you picture the turtle and remember what it is.
