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.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for snapping turtle

Historical Examples of snapping turtle

"The snapping-turtle must be at his work," said Constans to himself.
The Doomsman
Van Tassel Sutphen
Nothing but sand will suit the purpose of the snapping-turtle.
Birds and all Nature, Vol. V, No. 1, January 1899
Various
The flesh of the snapping-turtle is delicate, tender, and of rich flavor.
Birds and all Nature, Vol. V, No. 1, January 1899
Various
But when one has lived all one's life with a snapping-turtle, one doesn't mind.
The End Of The World
Edward Eggleston
My brother has a snapping-turtle, and a white rabbit with brownish spots on it, and my brother and I have three kittens.
Harper's Young People, August 31, 1880
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