the world > animals > animal body > general parts > covering or skin > [adjective] > having a hard protective covering > having a shell > having a soft shell (2)
Having a soft shell. Chiefly in the names of animals, esp. a softshell turtle or the softshell clam. Cf. softshell, adj. 1.
Having a soft shell; = soft-shelled, adj. 1. Also: of or relating to something that has a soft shell. Chiefly in the names of animals (see softshell…