Noun: carapace 'ker-u,peys [N. Amer], 'ka-ru,peys [Brit]
- Hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles
"The hermit crab uses the carapace of other animals for protection";
- shell, cuticle, shield
Derived forms: carapaces
Type of: scute
Part of: arthropod, mollusc, mollusk [N. Amer], shellfish, turtle
Encyclopedia: Carapace