hard-shell — or hard shelled [härd′shel΄] adj. 1. a) having a hard shell b) having a shell not recently molted: said of crabs, crayfish, etc.: also hard shelled ☆ 2. Informal strict; strait laced; uncompromising, esp. in religious matters … English World dictionary
hard-shell — hard′ shell′ adj. Also, hard′ shelled′. 1) having a firm, hard shell, as a crab in its normal state; not having recently molted 2) rigid or uncompromising 3) zool. hard shell crab • Etymology: 1790–1800 … From formal English to slang
Hard-shell — (h[aum]rd sh[e^]l ), a. Unyielding; insensible to argument; uncompromising; strict. [Colloq., U.S.] [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
hard-shell — I. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective 1. a. : having a hard shell b. : unyielding, confirmed, uncompromising a hard shell conservative 2 … Useful english dictionary
hard-shell — or hard shelled adjective Date: 1838 fundamental 2b, fundamentalist < a hard shell preacher > < hard shell Baptists >; also uncompromising, hidebound < a hard shell conservative > … New Collegiate Dictionary
hard-shell — /hahrd shel /, adj. 1. Also, hard shelled. 2. having a firm, hard shell, as a crab in its normal state; not having recently molted. 3. rigid or uncompromising. n. 4. See hard shell crab. [1790 1800] * * * … Universalium
hard-shell — /ˈhad ʃɛl/ (say hahd shel) adjective having a firm, hard shell, as a crab in its normal state, not having recently moulted …
Hard-shell Baptists — Hard shell is the adjective used to describe Baptists who reject a common Christian notion of missionary work. The Hard shells believe so strongly in predestination that they conclude that it is futile for humans to attempt to effect the… … Wikipedia
hard-shell crab — hard′ shell crab′ n. ivt a crab, esp. an edible crab, that has not recently molted and has a hard shell • Etymology: 1900–05 … From formal English to slang
hard-shell clam — hard′ shell clam′ n. ivt quahog • Etymology: 1810–20, amer … From formal English to slang
hard-shell crab — noun edible crab that has not recently molted and so has a hard shell • Hypernyms: ↑crab * * * noun also hard shelled crab : a crab that has not recently shed its shell and hence has the shell rigid used chiefly of edible crabs (as the blue crab) … Useful english dictionary