Pronunciation: [sˈɒftʃə͡ld] (IPA) 
The word "softshelled" is spelled using the combination of the words "soft" and "shelled" to describe a type of animal or food that has a soft outer shell. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /sɔftʃɛld/, with the "sh" sound representing the combination of "s" and "h". This word is often used to describe softshelled turtles or softshelled crabs, which are known for their delicate and chewy texture.
Softshelled is an adjective used to describe something that has a soft, flexible, or pliable shell or covering. This term is often associated with creatures or organisms that have a shell which lacks the hardness or rigidity typically associated with shells. Softshelled animals are characterized by the absence or diminished presence of calcium carbonate, a mineral that usually contributes to the hardening or strengthening of shells.
Softshelled is commonly used to refer to certain types of animals, especially aquatic or semi-aquatic species. For example, softshelled turtles are a group of turtles that have pliable shells instead of the usual hard shells found in most turtle species. These flexible shells allow softshelled turtles to move more easily and swiftly in water, aiding in swimming and hunting. In addition, softshell crabs are another example of softshelled creatures. Unlike other crabs that have hard exoskeletons, softshell crabs shed their outer shell during molting, leaving them with a soft and pliable covering until a new shell grows.
In a broader sense, softshelled can also be used metaphorically to describe objects, materials, or structures that possess characteristics of flexibility or gentleness. For instance, a softshelled suitcase may refer to a type of luggage made from a more flexible and malleable material, which can accommodate odd-shaped items more easily.
The word "softshelled" is derived from the combination of two components: "soft" and "shelled".
The term "soft" originates from the Old English word "sōfte", derived from the Proto-Germanic word "samftijaz". Over time, it has retained a similar meaning in various languages, referring to something that is yielding to touch, not hard or firm.
The word "shell" comes from the Old English word "scealu", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "skaljō". "Shell" generally refers to a hard outer covering that encloses or protects something.
When these two components are combined, "softshelled" refers to an organism or object possessing a soft outer covering or shell. This term is commonly used to describe species such as softshell turtles, which have relatively flexible shells compared to other turtle species.
