snapping turtle

noun

either of two large, edible, freshwater turtles of the family Chelydridae, of North and Central America, having a large head and powerful hooked jaws, especially the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina.

Nearby words

snapper, snapper up, snapperback, snapping beetle, snapping shrimp, snapping turtle, snappish, snappishly, snappy, snapshoot, snapshooter

Compare alligator snapping turtle.

Origin of snapping turtle

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for snapping turtle

But when one has lived all one's life with a snapping-turtle, one doesn't mind.
The End Of The World|Edward Eggleston
Still, when he once settled down on an opinion, his sister Sarah used to say it was with the determination of a snapping-turtle.
Travelers Five Along Life's Highway|Annie Fellows Johnston
The flesh of the snapping-turtle is delicate, tender, and of rich flavor.
Birds and all Nature, Vol. V, No. 1, January 1899|Various
Nothing but sand will suit the purpose of the snapping-turtle.
Birds and all Nature, Vol. V, No. 1, January 1899|Various

A boy just then came along with a snapping-turtle that he had caught, and stopped to ask what had happened to her.
Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories|Various

British Dictionary definitions for snapping turtle

snapping turtle

noun

any large aggressive North American river turtle of the family Chelydridae, esp Chelydra serpentina (common snapping turtle), having powerful hooked jaws and a rough shellAlso called: snapper

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

snapping turtle

noun

RELATED CONTENT

Nearby words

Origin of snapping turtle

Examples from the Web for snapping turtle

British Dictionary definitions for snapping turtle

snapping turtle

noun